Historically speaking, that is Labor law In Argentina it was considered taboo for any attempts at profound change. For decades, the idea of advancing this regulatory framework came with high political costs, as it was assumed that society would react negatively to any initiative that was perceived as a threat to so-called “acquired rights.” This implicit consensus acted as a boundary for both governments and public debate in general.
However, a recent national survey shows that this scenario is beginning to change significantly. According to the latest report from DC consultant, A large majority of the population today believes that labor reform is necessary and urgent and believes that the current legal framework is holding back economic growth. The study was conducted between December 6 and 8, 2025 on a sample of 1,710 cases across the country.
The survey entitled “The state burden: the end of social patience”shows a change in social priorities. The results suggest a shift from an approach focused on preserving traditional structures to a more pragmatic view linked to production, employment and economic development. In this context, labor legislation appears to be one of the main focuses of the debate.
This change in social perception is taking place in an economic and work scenario characterized by high level of informality, Growth of independent work and expansion of modalities linked to digital platforms. These factors influence the way broad sectors evaluate the effectiveness of the current system.
The urgency of labor reform from the perspective of public opinion
When asked about the urgency of labor reform, 61.4% of respondents said it was “very urgent”as current legislation slows economic development. There are also 10.53% who classify the problem as “urgent” and argue that the current system is backwards. This means that more than 71% of the sample are in favor of structural changes in the work regime.
In contrast, the sector resisting reform appears reduced compared to historical measurements. Only 21.05% think the reform makes sense “nothing urgent” and claims that the current system is appropriate, but with the risk that a change would result in a loss of rights. The rest of the respondents are in intermediate positions or without a clear definition.
The study also examines the depth of changes that society expects National Congress. The majority, 45.58%, were in favor of “the entire” working framework being discussed. These data suggest that a comprehensive review rather than specific adjustments is needed.
Other relevant reactions include calls to end the so-called “experimental industry”, with 19.73% and the need to integrate new forms of industrial relations with 17.01%. On the other hand, only 8.16% believe that the debate should focus exclusively on the protection of rights, which represents a shift in the priorities of a significant part of the electorate.
The crisis of union representation
According to the report, social support for labor reform is linked to with the deterioration of the image of the unions. According to the data collected, 80.69% of respondents confirm that unions do not represent workers and do not connect them with their own interests or with a company. Only 19.31% believe that these organizations play an effective role in occupational health and safety.
Beyond the representative question, the survey also assesses the importance of trade unions in lto the everyday life of employees. For 59.18% of respondents, these organizations have no connection to their current professional experience. This data becomes increasingly important in a context in which the number of monotributists, self-employed people, freelancers and employees of digital platforms is growing.
The change in the labor market represents a Union model which was oriented towards formal wage work and stable employment relationships. In this context, part of the population perceives a discrepancy between traditional union structures and current work dynamics.
This distancing has a direct impact on the unions’ ability to exert influencethe public debate and in the legislative discussion. The loss of social legitimacy appears to be one of the factors that explain the lower rejection of a possible labor market reform.
The role of the state and its connection to the labor debate
The DC Consultores report embeds the discussion on labor reform within a broader assessment role of the state. For 65.97% of respondents, without reforms, the Argentine state acts as an obstacle, characterized mainly by bureaucracy. This perception contrasts with a minority view that sees him as a protector (6.25%) or a guarantor of social justice (10.42%).
This critical look at the state is linked to calls for a simplification of regulations, a reduction in procedures and greater predictability for the state Economic activity. In this sense, labor law is viewed as part of a regulatory framework that requires review.
The study also analyzes how this climate of opinion is projected onto the political level. In a hypothetical election scenario for 2027, the “Javier Milei (re-election)” option receives 52.08% of voting intentions in the first round. According to the consulting firm, there is a direct connection between those who call for deregulation and structural changes and those who support the continuity of the current government direction.
In contrast, Peronism and Kirchnerism, represented in the survey by Axel Kicillofconcentrate 18.75% of the voting intention. The report notes that this area has a defined core of support, but is finding it difficult to expand its voter base in sectors linked to manufacturing and independent work.
A paradigm shift in conversation
The results of the survey show a change in social perception regarding a historically sensitive topic. The idea that labor legislation should not be changed seems to have lost its central importance in the face of the majority demand for updating and review. This shift does not imply a consensus on the concrete content of an eventual reform, but rather the need to debate it.
The survey does not evaluate specific proposals or alternative models, but rather reflects a different social disposition than that recorded in past decades. The combination of changes in the labor market, the erosion of trade union organizations and a critical view of the role of the state forms the context in which this debate is embedded.
In this context, the discussion about labor reform is no longer a political taboo, but rather a central issue public agenda. The challenge for the political system will be to channel this societal demand into a legislative debate that takes into account the different realities of the world of work and the tension between protection, productivity and economic growth.
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