General strike leaves Buenos Aires empty as unions fight Milei’s war on workers

[Argentina]

A national strike by unions in Argentina has left the streets of capital Buenos Aires near-empty. A drone video showing the scene has been posted with the text:

> Who moves the world?
> Who moves Argentina?
> Who moves Buenos Aires?
> Workers and Workers.

> ¿Quién mueve el mundo?
> ¿Quién mueve Argentina?
> ¿Quién mueve Buenos Aires?
> T R A B A J A D O R E S Y T R A B A J A D O R A S[pic.twitter.com/FWwP2iDKCi][1]
> 
> — Celeste Murillo (@rompe_teclas) [February 19, 2026][2]

Argentina’s unions called the general strike in protest at far-right president Javier Milei’s [assault on workers’ rights][3]. Milei’s ‘reforms’ — that camouflaging word loved by the right — to abolish overtime pay, cut redundancy payments and ban most strikes, among a host of measures aimed at impoverishing the working class, [triggered immediate protests][4] when Argentina’s [senate passed them][5]. However, the general strike applies far more concerted pressure ahead of a [key vote today][6] on the legislation in Argentina’s ‘lower’ legislative house, the Chamber of Deputies. Public sector workers, bank staff and transport workers are among those staying away or joining protests.

Around 40% of Argentina’s workforce belong to a union. It’s well past time for UK workers to wise up and take similar action against the endless uniparty war on their rights.

*Featured image via the Canary*

By [Skwawkbox][7]

[1]: https://t.co/FWwP2iDKCi
[2]: https://twitter.com/rompe_teclas/status/2024510585224798479?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
[3]: https://www.thecanary.co/trending/2026/02/15/javier-milei-wages/
[4]: https://wrp.org.uk/features/clashes-in-argentina-as-laws-passed-to-extend-working-hours-and-restrict-right-to-strike/
[5]: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/argentina-senate-passes-milei-labor-reform-advancing-promarket-overhaul-2026-02-12/
[6]: https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/argentine-labor-reform-faces-key-vote-lower-house-unions-stage-nationwide-strike-2026-02-19/
[7]: https://www.thecanary.co/author/skwawkbox/


https://www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/2026/02/19/argentina-strike-empties/