Javier Milei expanded the activities considered essential by decree

Through the emergency decree 340/2025, published today in the Official Gazette, the Government of Javier Milei expanded the list of activities considered essential by the State.

This means that these activities must ensure, in case of conflict, a mandatory operating level ranging from 50% to 75%. According to the new decree, from now on they will be considered essential services:

1. Childcare and education at the nursery, initial, primary, and secondary levels, including special education.
2. Commercial aeronautical activity and port traffic control; covering tasks such as beaconing, dredging, mooring, loading, unloading, towing of vessels, and all services related to port activity.
3. Customs and migration services, as well as others related to international trade.
4. Maritime and river transport of people, goods, or cargo, along with their complementary services and offshore operations, through the various available means.
5. The production, transportation, and distribution of gas and other types of fuels.

These sectors are added to those already considered as essential, which were detailed again, with an expanded scope, in the decree published today:

• Health and hospital services, along with the transportation and distribution of medicines, medical supplies, and the operation of pharmacies.
• Telecommunications, including internet access and satellite communication systems.
• Air traffic management and control.
• The production, distribution, transportation, and commercialization of drinking water and electric power.

Article 3 of the decree signed by Javier Milei states that "collective conflicts that may affect the normal provision of essential services or activities of paramount importance are subject to the following guarantees of minimum service provision".

In detail, the decree clarifies: "Regarding the provision of minimum services, in the case of essential services, under no circumstances may a coverage less than 75% of the normal provision of the service in question be negotiated or imposed on the parties. In the case of activities or services of paramount importance, under no circumstances may a coverage less than 50% be negotiated or imposed on the parties".

This provision is part of a broader package of measures aimed at deregulating the merchant marine sector. In addition to President Milei's signature, the decree is supported by ministers Gerardo Werthein (Foreign Affairs), Luis Petri (Defense), Luis Caputo (Economy), Mariano Cúneo Libarona (Justice), Patricia Bullrich (Security), Mario Iván Lugones (Health), Sandra Pettovello (Human Capital), and Federico Sturzenegger (State Deregulation).