Argentina's Job Programs Face Criticism Amid Daily SME Closures

José Canepa, head of the Territorial Agency for Formosa, explained that the "Volver al Trabajo" employment program, which replaced the previous "Potenciar Trabajo" scheme, was always scheduled to conclude in April 2026. A court‑ordered precautionary measure had kept payments flowing, but a recent ruling lifted that measure while the main case remains pending.

Vice Minister of Economy José Luis Daza asserted that the Argentine economy is showing "green shoots," yet small‑ and medium‑size business leaders dispute this outlook. Julián Moreno, president of the SME association APYME, reported that roughly 30 companies close each day, costing about 342,000 formal jobs, with notable declines in industry, construction and commerce.