Retailers and supermarkets closed, flights had been cancelled and rubbish piled up Thursday (February 19, 2026) as Argentine staff staged their fourth common strike of President Javier Milei’s time period, some clashing with police.
The few buses operating in Buenos Aires had been nowhere close to full, though automotive visitors was unusually heavy as many staff noticed the 24-hour strike in opposition to a contentious labor reform.
Dozens of flights had been cancelled and prepare stations had been left abandoned with solely a handful of buses operating, AFP noticed.
On roads main into the capital, small teams of protesters blocked visitors.
Later within the day, a number of thousand demonstrators gathered outdoors parliament, the place just a few dozen members engaged in operating battles with police, throwing bottles and stones.
Officers replied with tear gasoline, water cannons and rubber bullets to clear the realm.
Police had been noticed making a few dozen arrests.
The CGT labor federation mentioned extra staff adhered to the walkout name than throughout any of the earlier three strikes.
“It has ranges of compliance like by no means earlier than beneath this authorities,” union chief Jorge Sola informed Radio con Vos, claiming that “90 % of exercise had stopped.”
The contested reforms pushed by budget-slashing Mr. Milei, an ideological ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, would make it simpler to rent and fireplace staff in a rustic the place job safety is already laborious to return by.
It might additionally cut back severance pay, restrict the correct to strike, improve work hours and limit vacation provisions.
The measure was authorized by the chamber of deputies within the early morning hours of Friday, and can return to the Senate for a remaining inexperienced mild.
“I need to work as a result of I’m afraid of dropping my job however I can’t get there. I should stroll,” Nora Benitez, a 46-year-old dwelling caregiver, mentioned forward of a 5 kilometer trek to her job alongside streets reeking of uncollected rubbish.
Reforms spark protests
The labor motion comes as Argentina’s economic system is displaying indicators of a downturn in manufacturing, with greater than 21,000 firms having shuttered in two years beneath Milei.
He had come to energy after wielding a chainsaw at rallies through the 2023 election marketing campaign to represent the deep cuts he deliberate to make to public spending.
Unions say some 3,00,000 jobs have been misplaced since Mr. Milei’s austerity measures started.
Most lately, Destiny — Argentina’s principal tire manufacturing facility — on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) introduced the closure of its plant in Buenos Aires, prompting some 900 job cuts.
The final common strike in Argentina was on April 10, 2025, however adherence was uneven as staff within the public transport system didn’t be a part of.
Final week, 1000’s of individuals demonstrated in Buenos Aires as senators debated the reform invoice, and clashes with police resulted in about 30 arrests.
On Tuesday (February 17, 2026), the federal government issued an uncommon assertion warning reporters concerning the “threat” of protecting protests, and introduced it will set up an “unique zone” from which the media can work.
“Within the occasion of acts of violence, our forces will act,” an announcement from the Safety Ministry mentioned.
Nearly 40% of Argentine staff lack formal employment contracts, and unions say the brand new measures will make issues worse.
However the authorities argues they may in truth cut back under-the-table employment and create new jobs by reducing the tax burden on employers.
Mr. Milei, in workplace since December 2023, has achieved not less than one in every of his macroeconomic targets: bringing annual inflation down from 150 % to 32 % in two years.
However it’s a success that has come at the price of huge public sector job cuts and a drop in disposable revenue that has sapped consumption and financial exercise.
Mr. Milei will observe Thursday’s (February 19, 2026) occasions at dwelling from Washington, the place he attended the primary assembly of Trump’s “Board of Peace,” which has drawn criticism as an try to rival the United Nations.
Revealed – February 20, 2026 10:22 am IST