| Summary: | In Latin America, at the beginning of the 21st century, a number of democratically elected governments successfully launched a series of progressive socio-economic transformations. They have aroused international interest as being counter-examples to the frequently prevailing neoliberal economic adjustment policies. This article analyzes the significance of Argentinian employment, labor relations and trade union programs under the 2003-2015 Kirchner Government. It includes an appraisal of the scope, limitations and contradictions of these developments, and a comparison with the results of previous empirical investigations. Finally, the article considers the impact on these policies of the changes proposed by the new coalition government at the end of 2015.Through this research, we hope to establish an overview, anchored in specific empirical evidence, of the logic that influenced labor policies between 2003-2015. This includes an examination of the employment programs and the performance of the labor market, as well as the regulations governing labor relations. It was also interesting to analyze the dynamics of trade union activity, with particular emphasis on the relationships between the union organizations and the government. The study is essentially qualitative, although quantitative data is also used, in order to explain certain dimensions of the labor market.The key objective is to analyze Argentinian labor policies, as they constituted the cornerstone of the economic program. This will make it possible to appraise the impact of the Kirchner government as regards its very important policies concerning the distribution of wealth and the expansion of workers’ rights.
|
|---|