Clashes erupted in Buenos Aires on Friday as protesters gathered near the National Congress to demonstrate against proposed labor reforms, resulting in four arrests and injuries to three police officers, according to official sources.
The demonstration, organized by the Frente de Sindicatos Unidos (FreSU), drew participation from various unions, including the Unión Obrera Metalúrgica and the Asociación de Trabajadores del Estado. While FreSU Secretary General Daniel Yofra warned the government of a potential “indefinite strike” if the reforms proceed, only Yofra addressed the crowd during the protest.
“This Trade Union Front did not reach only for the labor reform, it came for the salary, it came for the dignity of the workers. It came to represent those workers and workers who have been longing for leaders who really fight,” Yofra stated, calling for a mobilization to “build an indefinite strike.”
As the Senate began debating the reforms, tensions escalated as protesters threw bottles and ignited debris near barriers erected by the Buenos Aires City Police. Police responded by deploying water cannons to disperse the crowd. The deployment of the Infantería de la Policía Federal, with a water cannon remaining operational, further restricted access to and from Plaza Congreso, forcing demonstrators to grab detours.
According to police reports, three of the arrested individuals are accused of assaulting police officers, while the fourth was apprehended for resisting authority. Two officers sustained knee injuries, and a third suffered a hand injury during the confrontations. Approximately 800 police personnel were deployed to maintain order in the area, operating outside a security perimeter established by federal forces.
The protests were not solely focused on labor issues. Demonstrators also carried signs advocating for a reduction in the age of criminal responsibility and displayed banners with the names of individuals killed by minors, reflecting broader concerns about public safety. Columns from the UTEP, the Movimiento Evita, and Barrios de Pie also participated, alongside groups identifying with the Kirchnerist political movement, some carrying banners with images of former President Néstor Kirchner and slogans calling for the release of current Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.
Alfredo, a local recycler, observed an increase in foot traffic and discarded materials around the plaza during the protests, providing an opportunity to collect aluminum cans for resale. “I generally work in this area, but on protest days, several of us come to check because a lot more people come to the plaza, people who spend hours in the sun and buy a can of Coca-Cola or beer to beat the heat. And that makes me collect a lot more than on a normal day,” he told Infobae.
The Policía Federal maintains a presence in the area surrounding the Congress, while the Buenos Aires City Police secure the perimeter and surrounding streets. The Senate debate on the labor reforms continues.