Labor reform in effect as judiciary overturns CGT injunction request

An appeals court has struck down an injunction request filed by labor federation General Confederation of Labor (CGT) against the government’s labor reform. The ruling means that the law is in full effect, unleashing significant changes for all workers. The court’s decision reverses an earlier ruling that had granted the CGT’s request to halt the enforcement of 82 articles of Law 27,802, which was approved at the beginning of March. The state had filed a new complaint to halt this resolution. The court accepted this request on Thursday.  Despite the ruling, the legal matter is still not resolved, as the government had requested the Supreme Court intervene. The appeals court’s decision means the reform will be in force while the state’s presentation continues to be processed. President Javier Milei celebrated the judicial decision via a post on X: “They will not be able to stop the growth that is coming for the country. LONG LIVE FREEDOM, DAMN IT…!!!” The CGT’s claim The country’s main trade union organization deemed the law “unconstitutional.” According to a statement by the CGT, the law violates two legal principles. One is progressivity (or non-regression), which prevents unjustified measures that represent a step backwards in acquired labor rights. The other is protectivity, which seeks to prevent employers’ abuse against the “weaker party,” in this case, the employee. The communiqué said that the law also affects article 14 bis of the National Constitution, “in rights such as protection against arbitrary dismissal, the right to strike, collective bargaining, free association, freedom of association, and social security, among other items.” The judge accepted the collective action on the grounds that the CGT “has standing” to represent workers in a case of this nature, as it involves rights related to labor matters. At the same time, the magistrate warned about the potential impact of the provisions, saying they could lead to a “lack of protection” for workers and impose limitations on freedom of association and collective action. The judge also emphasized the judiciary’s role in these conflicts, stating that it was needed to “guarantee the separation of powers.” Cover photo: Supreme Court (Credit: Ignacio Petunchi).