Nacionales (ingles)
The claim of former president Cristina Kirchner to obtain two privileged retirements is not an exceptional case. Privileges and duplication of coverage are the rules, not the exception, in the Argentine pension system. Sustainability and equity demand a profound pension reform to bring rationality. (more…)
MORESince 2012 the labor market’s performance was worse than the economy’s. This is reflected in an almost null growth of salaried jobs in private firms. To reverse the situation, in addition to economic growth, a thorough revision of labor market regulations is needed. (more…)
MOREWith a broad consensus, Congress passed a law to promote knowledge companies. If the same incentives were applied to the rest of the economy, the positive impacts would be multiplied. For this to happen, it is essential to extend the consensus in Congress in favor of a strategy for the public sector reengineering. (more…)
MORELowering the tax burden at the expense of losing public revenue contradicts the zero deficit target. In Córdoba province, the financial and administrative pressures on small taxpayers have been reduced increasing public revenue. This has been obtained by unifying national, provincial and municipal taxes.
MOREThe health coverage of retirees receives few resources given the high elderlies’ health care demand. Keeping the influx of retirees in the scheme will aggravate the shortage. A recent policy change promoting that people preserve the health coverage associated with their job when they retire will improve sustainability.
MOREIn the list of topics proposed by the government to be agreed with the political parties, one key point is to give sustainability and equity to the pension system. Though there are several problems, one particularly destabilizing factor is the sustained increase in double coverage in pensions. (more…)
MOREEven though the primary deficit has been falling, the rise in country risk reflects a deep distrust in Argentina’s ability to repay its public debt. The way out is not to change the cabinet or the candidates for the polls, but to take steps in the direction of structural reforms demonstrating the decision to build fiscal solvency.
MOREThe government announcements to alleviate the crisis include re-freezing utility prices. Thus, a pillar in the goal of reducing public spending and eliminating inequities is canceled. Instead of regressing in such a strategic issue, such as utility prices, a deepening of the Fiscal Consensus should be worked.
MOREIn recent months there have been some corrections in the external and fiscal deficits. However, the process is complicated due to worsening social tensions and weakening tax collection. Lowering public spending more sustainably will ease the transition to a more stable economy and this will permit to resume growth.
MOREThe IMF expressed concern because tax revenues grow below the projected. This is contradictory given the very high tax pressure of Argentina. The experience of neighboring countries suggests that with less but better-managed public spending, the fiscal deficit can be reduced and the social situation improved.
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