ARGENTINAN legislators narrowly approved a proposal to slash workers’ rights today as protesters against the government’s neoliberal extremist programme clashed with riot police in the capital Buenos Aires.

The reforms, put forward by President Javier Milei, aim to revive the country’s finances by declaring a state of economic emergency, cutting pensions and shredding labour rights.

Vice-President Victoria Villarruel used a tie-breaking vote in the Senate to approve the plans, which includes foreign investment and privatisation, following an all-day debate.

The Bill must pass a further reading in the lower house before it becomes law, but it is likely to be approved.

Annual inflation in is currently close to 300 per cent and more than half of the population is living in poverty.

Thousands of protesters poured into the streets ahead of the vote, chanting: “Our country is not for sale.”

Some were seen throwing Molotov cocktails, while hundreds of riot police responded with tear gas and water cannons.

Protester Miriam Rajovitcher, a 54-year-old teacher, said she was already “so much worse off” under Mr Milei’s government, adding: “If this law passes, we are going to lose so many of our labour and pension rights.”