Two major Argentine labor unions in the oilseed industry have reached an agreement with employers, ending the government's wage cap. The deal was struck on Monday night, just before the deadline for mandatory conciliation, between the Federation of Oilseed and Related Industries Workers (FTCIODyARA) and the San Lorenzo Oilseed and Related Industry Workers Union (SOEA) on one side, and employer associations CIARA, CIAVEC, and CARBIO on the other. In a politically hostile climate for unions, the agreement pushes the initial wage for workers to 2,344,000 Argentine pesos as of January 1, 2026. Additionally, a one-time non-remunerative payment of 1,886,748.60 pesos will be made in January and February 2026. A retroactive sum of 400,000 pesos for September and October will also be paid before November 15, 2025, due to delays in finalizing the agreement. Wage increases will be progressive: reaching 2,075,186 pesos in November 2025 and 2,100,000 pesos in December. The organizations stated, "This is an extraordinary payment that we agree to every year since 2010 and which we allocate as a share of profits." Daniel Succi, General Secretary of SOEA San Lorenzo, and Daniel Yofra, General Secretary of FTCIODyARA, emphasized: "This victory is ours because we fought for our wages and for a dignified life for our families." They noted that this achievement was possible thanks to the fighting spirit of the oilseed workers and the unity of action between their organizations. "In the negotiations on Wednesday, November 5, which lasted more than nine hours, we defended our collective bargaining demands based on the right to a Minimum, Vital, and Mobile Wage (SMVM)," the statement read. The unions also clarified that this agreement will be reviewed in April 2026, unless circumstances require an earlier review.
