Argentina News Roundup: 15th April 2014

New Bill Targets Informal Labour Market: President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner yesterday presented a new law aimed at reducing informal labour that will be sent to Congress. The aim of the bill is to bring around 650,000 workers into the formal labour market over the next two years through a combination of incentives, especially for small companies, to register staff and stricter controls. According to the proposal, companies with fewer that five employees will receive a 50% deduction in employer contribution payments. All private companies that hire new workers will receive similar benefits for two years, with the deduction ranging from 25% to 100% depending on the size of the business. Presenting the bill, President Fernández said that working in the informal market is “the second biggest problem for workers, the first is not having a job.” Labour Minister Carlos Tomada said the bill would deliver a “final blow” to informal labour. “We want to intensify the fight [against informal labour] and so we are providing tools so that employers do not deny workers their rights,” said Tomada in a radio interview earlier today. Under the initiative, the Labour Ministry will have authority to supervise the application of labour laws. At present, provincial governments are responsible for regulating labour conditions, but according to Tomada, lack the resources to carry out controls. According to official statistics, approximately a third of the working age population are in the informal labour market.

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