National
Labor conflicts in Argentina are much intense than in developed countries. Part of the problem is explained by the high inflation context, but labor institutions play an important role as well. To improve the quality of collective bargaining, it is necessary to review the ultra-activity and the representativeness. (más…)
VERAlthough the reasons for the death of a famous journalist and legislator are being inquired, there is evidence that in Argentina deaths due to adverse effects of medicine are more frequent than in other countries in the region. The reason is not the lack of resources but the refusal to measure results (más…)
VEROverlapping national interventions on services administered by local governments is one of the main squander of fiscal resources. Much of the fiscal deficit and the malfunctioning of the state are explained by this tendency of the federal government to intervene on local responsibilities. Respecting the federal organization is crucial for a more efficient and sustainable public sector.
VERThe prohibition to appoint public official’s relatives into any state´s department has a symbolic value. But it also denotes the incapability for professionalizing public employment. Among the main obstacles is the exaggerated rigidity with which the principle of stability in public employment is applied.
VERThe primary deficit reduction in 2017 was highlighted by the economic authorities. This is an important achievement but a partial one since it is not enough to compensate for the increase in interest payments. This shows that the pace of gradualism adopted in fiscal deficit reduction is inconsistent. To improve, further federalism and a comprehensive pension reform should be established. (más…)
VERThe persistence of inflation generates justified concerns. The main reason is that important savings obtained in energy subsidies went to higher spending in other subsidies and in national programs that overlap with provincial and municipal functions. Meanwhile, the high growth of ANSES (the social security office) expenditures continues. There is no possibility of reducing inflation without a more comprehensive reengineering of the public sector. (más…)
VERThe progress made in the tariff normalization and the modernization of the tariff scheme organizing it as a transport network goes in the right direction. But the national authorities are not the ones that must make these decisions neither to finance them. It is time for the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and the Province of Buenos Aires, for the Conurbano –or Great Buenos Aires–, to assume their responsibility. (más…)
VERThe upward revision of the inflation target is an act of honesty, but also of resignation. The speed of gradualism chosen to order public finances forces to tolerate higher inflation. It also implies that the vested interests of those resisting modernizing the state are imposed over the needs of the poorest who will continue to finance the fiscal imbalance with the inflationary tax. (más…)
VERPensions are far from being able to be financed only with salary contributions. Because of the changes in tax allocation destined to ANSES (the social security agency), it is necessary to modify the pensions adjustment rule. The most important challenge is to formulate a more comprehensive pension reform that gives back sustainability and equity to the system. (más…)
VERNew technologies are causing profound transformations in the economy. One of the main consequences is the massive destruction of traditional jobs and the generation of new ones. The labor reform debate should be less focused on the past and more on the future challenges imposed by the new scenarios.
(más…)