20/07/2026 18:40 - Politica
Through Decree 612/2026, published on Monday, July 20, 2026, in the Official Gazette, the Argentine national government introduced modifications to the regulations of the new Labor Modernization Law. The measure relaxes the calculation of the 2% limit for contributions in favor of workers' associations, interpreted as a concession towards the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) and the Argentine Workers' Central Union (CTA), hours before they initiate a plan of struggle.
In Argentina, the 'aporte solidario' is an economic contribution made by unionized workers to sustain their labor guild. The recent labor reform imposed a 2% cap on these contributions based on workers' remunerations.
Until this new decree, limits were determined solely on the conventional basic salary of each worker category, severely limiting union financing. Under the new regulation, normal, habitual, and monthly remunerative sums must also be computed. This includes additional payments for category, function, attendance, or seniority.
Accountant Marco Felice, creator of the Blog del Contador, explained that the main effect is that the maximum amount of conventional charges subject to caps may increase, as the percentages are now applied to a broader base.
The norm establishes that all concepts that are not habitual remunerations will be excluded from the 2% cap. This list includes:
On the other hand, employer contributions that companies agree to pay directly to unions via collective bargaining agreements are not subject to the 2% limit. However, these funds must be allocated exclusively to social, welfare, pension, or cultural projects benefiting workers, and their administration must be documented separately from other union funds.
The decree is signed by President Javier Milei, Chief of Staff Diego Santilli, and Minister of Human Capital Sandra Pettovello. According to outlets like La Voz del Interior and LA NACIÓN, this agreement was reached through talks with the government's political cabinet, driven by Santilli and supported by Santiago Caputo, Karina Milei, and the Menem brothers, Martín and Lule.
This measure arrives at a crucial moment, as the CGT—the largest umbrella union in Argentina—and the two CTA factions ratified a protest plan. This includes a march around the National Congress this Wednesday, July 22, 2026, in support of pensioners, and the possibility of a general strike. Unions justify this measure due to the fall in real wages and the loss of registered employment in the country.
The publication of this decree demonstrates that, beyond public rhetoric, there is room for agreement and coexistence between the Government and labor representatives. This flexibilization is a positive step to provide legal certainty and ensure a financing scheme that allows unions to continue providing services to their members.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
