IMF and CGT Discuss Argentina’s Labor Reform

Leaders of the Confederación General del Trabajo (CGT), Argentina’s main labor federation, raised concerns about the labor reforms proposed by President Javier Milei during meetings with officials from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, D.C. In 2026. The discussions took place within the framework of international union meetings focused on the global economy and the future of function.

CGT Criticisms of Milei’s Labor Reform

Gerardo Martínez, Secretary of International Relations for the CGT (UOCRA), stated that the labor reform “collides collectively and individually with the Argentine Constitution.” He also expressed concern that the lack of tripartite dialogue – involving government, employers, and unions – is detrimental to development and production, leading to increased layoffs and business closures.

International Union Meetings with Bretton Woods Institutions

The meetings between union leaders, economists, and representatives from the IMF and the World Bank Group have been held since 2002. They serve as a platform for analyzing economic policies, debt, employment, and development from a worker’s perspective. The 2026 meetings were organized by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the Trade Union Advisory Commission to the OECD (TUAC), and the AFL-CIO.

Focus on Decent Work and Labor Rights

Union representatives urged the IMF to incorporate respect for decent work, labor rights, and human rights as central components of any sustainable economic development strategy. Gerardo Martínez, a member of the Board of Directors of the International Labor Organization (ILO), emphasized the need for economic programs promoted by international organizations to consider the social and labor dimensions in their evaluations.

Calls for a Universal Basic Salary and a New Social Contract

The CGT is advocating for a universal basic salary and a re-evaluation of the global social contract. Martínez highlighted the disparity between developed and developing nations, noting that of 190 countries, only 45 are considered developed, with the remaining often facing negative balances in trade, production, and socio-labor areas.

Global Economic Policies and Worker Needs

Cathy Feingold, international director of the AFL-CIO and vice president of the ITUC, stressed the importance of global economic policies responding to the needs of workers and reducing inequalities, particularly in the context of geopolitical conflicts, economic slowdowns, and technological changes.

Regional Representation from Latin America

Marcelo Di Stefano, Secretary of Strengthening and Trade Union Organization of the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (CSI), represented Latin American workers in the dialogue with international organizations, reinforcing the region’s involvement in the global debate on employment, social protection, and development.

IMF Leadership

As of March 7, 2026, Kristalina Georgieva is serving as the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund. IMF. She was appointed for a second term beginning October 1, 2024. Britannica notes she was the first person from an emerging market to lead the IMF.