For now, the official voice of labor reform is Federico “the Colossus” Rumpfenegger.
He doesn’t do it badly, but perhaps his character, who is more used to a professional audience, is not characterized by causing great enthusiasm among ordinary people. If the ruling party won the last general election, it can be said that it was not because of the voters who followed the minister.
First point: If the government wants to succeed with its reform efforts, it must win the conversation on the street, and for this it is essential Those who draw votes show their faces; the politicians, not the technicians.
What is this about? The answer can be found in an unforgettable photo. The afternoon of 14 tons of stones against Congress in 2017. On that day, Macri won the parliamentary vote for pension reform, but his government became anything but stronger, came out weakened.
“If we remembered the events of the Macri government that won the October elections, the economy would have grown… but Macri did not remember Napoleon’s phrase: “Army that triumphs rests. He wanted to discuss pension reform in December, and the year ended very badly”Pichetto remembered those days.
Milei thinks differently: “I won’t take my foot off the gas, “It’s time to accelerate harder.”he assured.
Who then will be the speakers of this acceleration? It is not an insignificant detail when viewed as a powerful axiom: Trust is more important than the idea. The what (labor reform) is not so important, but the why, and convincing these reasons is the challenge.
Today, in the eyes of millions of Argentines, labor reform is above all else the belief in a reduction in compensation. The belief behind this is that the reform will result in a loss of workers’ rights. What matters is how to shift the conversation from “losing rights” to “gaining the future.”
Who will be responsible for dismantling these union-reinforced premises? Daniel Catalano, secretary of ATE, made it clear this Monday: “There is a very strong intention for collective agreements and compensation to be abolished.”
It’s not about the technical problem, it’s about that building consensus that goes beyond political negotiations with legislators and governorswhat is understood as an exchange of favors between officials, far from benefiting the people.
When it comes to labor reform (modernization, according to the ruling party), half of the convincing work seems to have been done. According to a survey published by Clarion, 43% of Argentines fully support him, while almost 19% say a reform is necessary, but not the one proposed by Milei. 30% disagree. The scene is rounded off by the discrediting of the unions, according to a survey by the consulting company Explanationshave a rejection rate of 78%. The numbers suggest a failure of the enemy (in this case the unions) rather than their own merit.
Little is known about the details of the project, and some experts suggest “overdoing” the reform, which, they assure, will not have the expected depth. It will show.
It will also remain to be seen whether Milei and the government, in their hour of triumph, are able to find reasons to achieve widespread and lasting conviction.
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