The Government has been receiving criticism and pressure from the Federal Confederation of PyMEs, the Union of Kiosk Operators of the Argentine Republic, the Victoria Shopping Center, the Mendoza Economic Federation, the Argentine Perfumery Chamber, the Association of Argentine Factories of Components (AFAC), and the Chamber of Small and Medium-Sized Metalworking Industry (CAMIMA). On the eve of the CGT's general strike and while the Government rushes the labor reform debate in Congress, a suggestive silence resonates in the Casa Rosada: the silence of the business community. A high-ranking official recently fired through his social networks, evidencing the official discomfort. Far from applause, the business community (especially the PyME sector grouped in entities like CAME and various commercial federations) maintains deep caution. Sources in the sector warn that the degradation of working conditions will not solve their profitability problems, but will further shrink the wage mass and, consequently, depress the already battered domestic market. The Argentine Chamber of Commerce (CAC), the Argentine Confederation of Medium Enterprises (CAME), and the Association of Metallurgical Industries of Argentina (Adimra) agree that the Labor Reform could deepen conflicts. In turn, they question the last-minute changes introduced in the law that harm them, such as the elimination of voluntary contributions to business chambers. The lack of explicit support from the major business chambers for the initiative even provoked the anger of Minister of Economy, Luis Caputo. We lowered employer contributions by 85% for new jobs and no one is talking about it. No chamber celebrates, nothing. I am amazed!
