Uruguay issues El Niño weather warnings as Argentine labor shifts

Uruguay's National Emergency and Disaster Risk Reduction Board has issued a warning regarding the El Niño phenomenon. Officials project significant rainfall starting in September, with peak intensity expected in November and December. Leandro Palomeque, director of the National Emergency System (Sinae), warned that monthly precipitation could reach 400 to 500 millimeters, noting that “in 30 days, 50% of a year's rainfall can occur.” The government is preparing for potential flooding, river overflows, and family displacements by implementing early warning systems.

In Posadas, Argentina, labor market data from the first quarter of 2026 indicates a shift toward informal employment. Reports show that formal salaried workers decreased by 12.9%, while informal workers increased by 30.0%. Informal labor reached 53% of the occupied population, up from 43% the previous year. This shift highlights an increase in self-employment and precarious work as a response to declining formal job demand and reduced household purchasing power.