Public sector unions in Argentina denounce diversion of specific funds

State unions and public sector organizations in Argentina have denounced a systematic scheme involving the under-execution and diversion of budget allocations. According to the groups, funds intended for specific purposes are being redirected into financial bonds, securities, and the National Treasury to maintain fiscal surplus.

This practice reportedly affects several key agencies. In the aviation sector, the ATE ANAC union warned that of the 224 billion pesos collected annually in aviation fees, only 30% returns to the agency and less than 10% goes to the Rescue and Firefighting Service (SSEI). This has led to operational issues at terminals in San Luis and Formosa due to a lack of functional fire trucks, prompting a planned national strike for November 6.

Other affected entities include the National Road Directorate (Vialidad Nacional), where the FEPEVINA federation reports that only 3 pesos out of every 100 collected from liquid fuel taxes are allocated to road works. Additionally, workers at the Garrahan Hospital used legal injunctions to reveal that 58.107 billion pesos of the hospital's budget had been placed in financial bonds and securities.