Government Calls for Meeting to Update Salaries of Domestic Workers

The Argentine government has taken steps to address the issue of minimum salaries for domestic workers. A meeting has been called to discuss the update of these salaries, which will take place in the coming days.

The meeting, scheduled for August 21, will be held virtually and will be attended by representatives from various sectors, including the Ministry of Economy and Labor, as well as representatives from the domestic worker sector and employers.

The Comisión Nacional de Trabajo en Casas Particulares (CNTCP) is responsible for setting the minimum salaries for domestic workers. The CNTCP is an autonomous body established by Law 26,844, which regulates work in private homes.

The last update to domestic worker salaries was applied in July, when the final installment of the agreed-upon increases was paid. In April, the increase was 1.8% compared to March, while in May, the increase was 1.6% based on the already increased salaries. In June, the adjustment reached 1.5%, and in July, the update applied was 1.4%, always based on the already updated amount.

The CNTCP has also decided to incorporate 50% of the non-monetary sum paid in March into the basic salary, starting from July. This measure aims to strengthen the monthly income and stabilize the wages of domestic workers across the country.

The current salary scheme in August is as follows:

| Category | Hourly Rate with Retirement | Hourly Rate without Retirement | Monthly Salary with Retirement | Monthly Salary without Retirement | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Supervisors | $4,438.77 | $4,829.13 | $553,725.91 | $612,673.11 | | Specific Tasks | $4,223.25 | $4,597.18 | $517,006.43 | $571,426.17 | | Housekeepers | $3,996.45 | | $505,302.76 | | | Assistance and Care of Persons | $3,996.45 | $4,435.86 | $505,302.76 | $558,972.92 | | General Tasks | $3,733.72 | $3,996.45 | $458,053.22 | $505,302.76 |

The payment modality also depends on the number of hours worked by the domestic worker for the same employer.

Domestic workers who work 24 hours or more per week for the same employer are paid according to the monthly value established for their category, in proportion to the hours actually worked. On the other hand, those who work less than 24 hours per week for the same employer receive their remuneration according to the value established for the hourly modality.

The number of hours worked and the corresponding category determine the amount used as a reference to liquidate the salary. In addition to the basic values established for each category, the regulation contemplates two additional ones that can modify the final amount received by domestic workers. One of them is the additional payment for seniority, equivalent to 1% of the monthly salary for each year worked by the employee in their labor relationship. The other corresponds to the unfavorable zone and reaches 31% over the minimum salaries of each category.

The government's decision to convene a meeting to discuss the update of domestic worker salaries is a step in the right direction towards improving the working conditions and wages of these essential workers.