Argentina rural workers face loss of social benefits as decree expires

The National Registry of Rural Workers and Employers (Renatre) and the Argentine Union of Rural Workers and Stevedores (Uatre) have requested that the Ministry of Human Capital extend Decree 514/2021, which expired on September 1.

The decree provides a special regime for temporary and seasonal rural workers, ensuring that their Family Allowance (SUAF) is equivalent to the Universal Child Allowance (AUH). Without an extension, these workers risk a significant reduction in social benefits. For example, the current benefit for a child under the special regime is $154,031, whereas the general rate for workers not covered by the decree is $77,025.

Additionally, the expiration of the decree could impact the compatibility of registered temporary rural work with the 'Tarjeta Alimentar' food assistance program. Renatre President Abel Guerrieri and Uatre Secretary General José Voytenco emphasized that maintaining this regime is essential to protect the families of workers who participate in seasonal productive cycles.