By Nicolás Misculin

BUENOS AIRES, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Argentina’s lower house of Congress is set to vote on Thursday on a contentious labor reform backed by libertarian President Javier Milei, as unions stage a nationwide strike that has brought parts of the country to a halt.

Argentina’s largest umbrella union CGT says the overhaul threatens long‑standing worker protections, including the right to strike. In response, it has launched a 24‑hour stoppage involving transport workers, public sector staff and bank employees.

The strikers joined the maritime workers’ federation, which began a 48‑hour walkout on Wednesday, targeting cargo vessel operations mainly in the port of Rosario, one of the world’s largest agricultural export hubs.

The government argues that the bill, approved last week by the Senate with support from the ruling party and its center‑right allies, would encourage investment and promote formal employment.  Investors are watching to see whether Milei has the power to continue implementing his free-market agenda.

The reform would impose new limits on the right to strike by requiring essential services to maintain minimum operations during stoppages.

It would also lower severance costs for employers by excluding certain bonuses from the compensation formula.

The vote in the Chamber of Deputies is expected late on Thursday. Any changes to the bill would send it back to the Senate for a final vote before it can become law.

(ReportIng by Nicolás Misculin; Writing by Leila Miller)