Alberto Weretilneck ratifies mandatory facial biometric control for health staff

Governor Alberto Weretilneck has ratified the mandatory use of facial biometric systems for attendance control among health personnel through Decree No. 903. This administrative decision follows a temporary suspension of the system by the Labor Chamber of Viedma, which had halted the mechanism pending a formal government resolution.

The implementation has faced significant legal opposition, with nearly one hundred judicial actions filed by unions and state agents. The union Asspur formally challenged the system in August. While some judicial rulings, such as those by Judge Ambrosio Huenumilla, declared the application of the system unconstitutional, the government maintains that attendance registration is a standard obligation of public employment and a prerogative of the state as an employer.

The decree acknowledges certain deficiencies, specifically regarding the lack of information provided to staff, and mandates expanded guarantees for data processing. The official position asserts that worker consent is not legally required for this type of monitoring under existing frameworks.