ARGENTINA’S congress approved a Bill breaking the link between pensions and wages yesterday in defiance of days of popular unrest and a 24-hour general strike.

MPs voted 128 to 116 in favour of the changes after 12 hours of debate.

President Mauricio Macri says his reforms, which change the rules by which pensions are calculated, are necessary to cut the deficit and “attract investment” — presumably from foreign companies that want to avoid costly pension obligations when they take over local firms or former public services.