Blue Dollar A week of agricultural tensions for the government ended in another dramatic U-turn this week, with producers and officials agreeing to further dialogue as a result. Agricultural producers began a three-day strike on Monday in rejection of the government’s decision earlier this month to suspend maize exports until March 1. The so-called ‘paro agrario’ went … Read more
The charts of Argentina’s 2020 Budget include an infinity of items and numbers explaining what the State spends its funds on, which mostly come from tax revenue. They range from 3.189 billion pesos in travel expenses or 408 million pesos in cleaning materials, to 1.245 billion pesos in computer programmes or 60 million pesos for … Read more
Strikes by crop inspectors and maritime workers are prolonging disruptions at grain terminals in Argentina, keeping soy traders alert even as other protests from oilseed crushers have abated. Grain inspectors have been picketing at port entrances as part of a strike over pay that’s now lasted a month. The strikes have snarled shipments, affecting powerhouse … Read more
The national government has reached an agreement with the business chambers, unions and film industry on coronavirus protocols to enable the re-opening of cinemas. Having put together a sanitary protocol that each movie theatre will have to follow, the national government is preparing a decree that will enable moviegoers to see films on big screens … Read more
The government has confirmed it will introduce new restrictions on nighttime activities and the movement of people to halt the spread of Covid-19 during the summer vacation season, though on Friday officials stopped short of branding it a curfew. Details of the new measures have not yet been confirmed, but officials said that the restrictions … Read more
Ford Motor Company is ceasing manufacturing operations in Brazil after more than 100 years of building cars in the country as part of a restructuring that will eliminate 5,000 jobs and result in about a US$ 4.1 billion charge. The automaker said Monday it will close two factories in Brazil immediately and a third by the … Read more
Argentina registered cumulative inflation of 36.1 percent in 2020, with product prices rising fast in the final months of the year, the INDEC national statistics institute reported Thursday. In December, inflation was four percent, the highest monthly rate of the year and worst since November 2019. In the last month of the year, food and … Read more
The shift to home-working triggered by the coronavirus pandemic looks set to endure long-term, making it vital to protect employees’ rights and avoid blurred lines between on-the-clock hours and personal time, the United Nations said Wednesday. Issues facing home workers and their employers need greater attention, including better safeguards and more awareness of the rights … Read more
Argentina, the world’s third-largest corn exporter, ended the temporary ban on grain exports and will instead set a daily sales limit to guarantee domestic supply. In late December, the country suspended export licences until March to maintain adequate availability of animal feed before the next harvest. The government will lift the measure following talks between … Read more
When Jair Bolsonaro became Brazil’s president in January 2019 he nurtured relationships with other like-minded, far-right governments, but as the political tide turns he now finds himself and his country increasingly isolated. Boasting close ties with US President Donald Trump, Bolsonaro was emboldened and unapologetic for a worldview often criticised as sexist, racist and homophobic, … Read more