Executive Branch Labor Bills: How Many Were Approved Under Each Presidency?
The labor reform bill is among the main issues to be addressed during the extraordinary sessions of the Argentine Congress, which began on February 2 and will run through February 27. While the Government is promoting its official initiative, different opposition blocs are working on alternative proposals.
This scenario raises questions about the historical trajectory of Executive Branch initiatives in labor matters: how many bills were referred to the Labor Legislation and Labor and Social Security committees, and how many ultimately became law under different administrations. From 2002 to the present, the Executive submitted 90 labor bills, of which 35 were approved.
During the administration of Javier Milei, the Executive Branch has submitted one labor bill. Its consideration was promoted in December 2025, but it failed to advance due to a lack of sufficient support to obtain initial approval in the Senate. The debate will resume in the coming days and, so far, no initiatives have been approved.
Alberto Fernández (2019–2023)
During Alberto Fernández’s presidency, eight labor bills were submitted, of which two were approved (Laws No. 27,609 and 27,580). Despite initially holding a favorable balance of power in Congress, the Executive’s labor agenda faced difficulties in advancing, and several initiatives were not enacted.
Mauricio Macri (2015–2019)
Between 2015 and 2019, the Executive Branch submitted ten labor bills, with six ultimately approved (Laws No. 27,771; 27,429; 27,426; 27,252; 27,348; and 27,408). Although the volume of initiatives was lower than in previous periods, the approval rate was moderate and concentrated mainly in the early years of the administration.
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner (2011–2015)
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s second term stands out as the period with the highest legislative effectiveness in labor matters. Twelve bills were submitted and eleven were approved, representing an almost total approval rate and a strong relationship between the Executive and Congress (Laws No. 27,203; 27,181; 27,161; 26,970; 26,940; 26,944; 26,941; 26,773; 26,950; 26,816; and 26,921).
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner (2007–2011)
During CFK’s first term, fourteen labor bills were promoted, nine of which became law (Laws No. 26,719; 26,920; 26,678; 26,669; 26,884; 26,684; 26,727; 26,476; and 26,477). The period shows a high level of approval and a labor agenda that managed to gather sufficient parliamentary consensus to advance.
Néstor Kirchner (2003–2007)
Between 2003 and 2007, the Executive Branch submitted 37 labor bills, the highest number in the period analyzed. However, only five initiatives were approved (Laws No. 26,508; 26,370; 26,267; 27,609; and 27,580), evidencing a significant gap between the volume of bills introduced and effective legislative outcomes.
Eduardo Duhalde (2002–2003)
During Eduardo Duhalde’s presidency, eight labor bills were submitted, of which only one was approved (Law No. 25,629). The post-2001 crisis context constrained the legislative agenda and left little room for enactments.
Fernando de la Rúa (1999–2001)
During Fernando de la Rúa’s presidency, the Executive Branch submitted thirteen labor bills, of which only one was approved (Law No. 25,250). The low approval rate occurred in a context of growing social conflict, political fragmentation, and a weakened governing coalition in Congress, factors that hindered the formation of stable majorities.
The comparison across administrations makes it possible to assess not only each government’s labor agenda, but also its capacity to turn initiatives into law. Tracking these bills provides a long-term perspective on the relationship between the Executive Branch and Congress in one of the central areas of the legislative agenda.