2 July, 2025Argentina’s largest industrial union federation, CSIRA, is sounding the alarm over what it calls an imminent “industricide,” accusing President Javier Milei’s government of wrecking manufacturing, destroying jobs, and threatening the country’s economic sovereignty.
According to CSIRA’s statement, in 2024 the manufacturing sector shrank by 9.4 per cent, construction plummeted 27 per cent and other key sectors, such as mining, also recorded declines. Since 2023, more than 1,000 companies have had to close down and nearly 100,000 formal jobs have been lost.
CSIRA says that the main reasons for this decline are the indiscriminate entry of imports, a lack of financing, the country’s uncompetitive currency and paralysis in the domestic market. It warns that, if Argentina continues on this course, SMEs will be weakened, the country’s productive capacity will be destroyed and its dependence on foreign trade will grow.
CSIRA also calls into question the deregulation of the domestic cabotage market, which will allow foreign ships to provide transport services in Argentina. The unions say this will affect employment and generate foreign exchange outflows. In terms of labour issues, it is calling for free trade unions and condemns the rising cost of living, precarious working conditions and the reforms being brought in that will weaken workers’ rights. CSIRA also condems the “outlawing” of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, warning that “without independent justice there can be no real democracy”.
The statement includes a call for change:
“Argentina has the resources, infrastructure, human talent and scientific knowledge to bring about a new phase of industrial development. What is lacking is political will and the conviction that without industry we will not have a Nation – and without a Nation, there is no decent future.”
IndustriALL’s regional secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, Marino Vani, congratulated the CSIRA for its initiative and for holding the discussion and putting forward proposals to make Argentina’s industry viable.
Desde IndustriALL, el secretario regional para América Latina y el Caribe Marino Vani felicita a la CSIRA por la iniciativa y el debate, y por construir propuestas para viabilizar la industria argentina.
“We regret that the Milei government is not taking measures to safeguard jobs in the sector, as these jobs are important for recovery and development in Latin America. We support the CSIRA’s position and will stand with our colleagues in discussions on the future of Latin America’s industry."
IndustriALL affiliates belonging to CSIRA
- Asociación Obrera Minera Argentina – AOMA
- Asociación de Supervisores de la Industria Metalmecánica de la República Argentina – ASIMRA
- Sindicato de Mecánicos y Afines del Transporte Automotor de la República Argentina – SMATA
- Unión Obrera Metalúrgica – UOM
- Unión de Obreros Empleados Tintoreros, Sombrereros y Lavaderos – UOETSYLRA
- Federación de Obreros y Empleados de la Industria del Papel, Cartón Químicos - FOEIPC y Q