In September 2005 the minimum wage in Argentina was
raised from AR$ 350 to AR$ 450/month. The average wage in Argentina in 2005
was AR$ 539/month. The amount of wage varies according to the level of education
you have. Many people in Argentina work without having a contract, they earn
on average AR$ 305/month. Average wage levels vary according to geographical
location. In 2004, the averages for the city of Buenos Aires (AR$ 881.5)
The legal maximum work period is 8 hours/day and 48 hours/week.
However, the regular work week cannot exceed 44 hours/week for daily work, 42
hours/week for night work or 36 hours/week where work is performed in hazardous
conditions. Work is normally not permitted on Saturday afternoon and Sunday,
although there are exceptions for certain occupations. Overtime rate is 50 percent
extra, for work performed from Monday until 1 PM on Saturdays, and 100 percent
extra for work performed on Saturday afternoons, on Sundays and on public holidays.
Any worker aged over 18 has the right to earn the minimum wage. This is set
by collective agreement, which varies depending on the occupation and industry.
In addition to regular pay, an employee is entitled to a bonus ( aguinaldo)
equalling one month's pay per year. It is calculated on the basis of the
annual average pay; half is paid in June and the other half in December.
The LCT (Ley de Contrato
de Trabajo/Law on Contract Employment) regulates employment contracts,
rights, employer/employee obligations and wage protection. Contracts of employment
are generally signed for an unlimited time-period. Fixed-term contracts are
allowed but have to be written and cannot exceed a period of 5 years. Contracts
for work for an undetermined duration are also possible, as are contracts for
internships.
An employee must give 15 days notice to terminate a contract. The required
notice for an employer varies based on the employee's length of service.
- 15 days when the employee has less than three months of service
- one month when the worker's length of service is between three months
and five years
- two months when the length of service is more than five years, except in
small enterprises where the notice period is never more than one month.
Employees with at least six months of service with the same employer over
a single calendar year are entitled to paid leave, depending on the workers
seniority: it is:
- 14 calendar days when the worker has less than 5 years of service
- 21 days from 5 to 10 years of service
- 28 calendar days from 10 to 20 years of service
- 35 calendar days when the employee has more than 20 years of service.
It is forbidden in Argentina to force female employees to work between a period
of 45 days before and 45 days after childbirth.
Public holidays in Argentina
- January 1 (New Year's Day)
- March 24 (Truth and Justice Day)
- Good Friday
- Easter
- Malvinas Day
- May 1 (Labor Day)
- May 25 (First Argentine Government)
- June 10 (National Sovereignty Day)
- June 20 (Flag Day)
- July 9 (Independence Day)
- August 17 (Anniversary of the Death of General San Martín)
- October 12 (Día de la Raza)
- December 8 (Immaculate Conception Day)
- December 24 (Noche Buena)
- December 25 (Christmas).
- December 31 (New Year's Eve)