Fact Check: SALARIOS DOCENTES cayeron 70% en Argentina desde que asumió Milei

The Claim: "SALARIOS DOCENTES cayeron 70% en Argentina desde que asumió Milei"

Introduction

The claim that "salaries for teachers have fallen by 70% in Argentina since Javier Milei took office" has emerged amidst ongoing debates about the impact of his economic policies on education. This assertion has been echoed by various educational unions and media outlets, suggesting a significant decline in the purchasing power of educators' salaries. However, the specifics of this claim, including the timeframe and the calculations behind the percentage, warrant a closer examination.

What We Know

1. Inflation and Salary Adjustments: Reports indicate that since Milei's assumption of office in December 2023, inflation has reached approximately 172% by early 2024, while salary increases for educators have lagged behind at around 97% 5. This disparity suggests a significant loss in purchasing power for teachers.

2. Different Estimates of Salary Decline:

   • Some sources claim that the real salary of university teachers has dropped by 33% since November 2023, prior to Milei's presidency 2.
   • Other reports indicate a more severe loss, with estimates suggesting a decline of 70% in purchasing power due to inflation outpacing salary increases 567.

3. Union Perspectives: The Association of University Teachers and Researchers (COAD) has projected that salaries could lose over 70% of their value by March 2025, attributing this to recent economic policies and a significant devaluation of the currency 8.

4. Budget Cuts: The 2025 budget proposed by Milei indicates a 38% real decrease in educational funding compared to 2023, which could further exacerbate the situation for educators 4.

Analysis

The claim of a 70% decline in teachers' salaries is supported by several sources, but the methodology and context behind these figures vary significantly:

• Source Reliability:

  • Union Reports: Many of the claims come from unions representing educators, which may have a vested interest in portraying the situation as dire to advocate for better conditions. While their data is often based on internal assessments and member reports, it is crucial to consider potential bias 68.
  • Media Outlets: Publications like El Détape and Infogremiales report on these claims but may also have editorial slants that affect how information is presented. For example, El Détape has a history of left-leaning coverage, which could influence the framing of economic issues 26.

• Conflicting Data: The estimates of salary decline vary widely, with some sources reporting a 25% decline in real terms 3 and others asserting a 70% loss. This discrepancy raises questions about the consistency of the data and the methods used to calculate these figures. For instance, the calculations may not uniformly account for all factors influencing salary adjustments, such as regional differences or specific employment contracts.

• Economic Context: The broader economic environment in Argentina, characterized by high inflation and austerity measures, complicates the assessment of salary changes. The economic policies under Milei, which include significant budget cuts to education, have been criticized for their potential long-term impacts on public services 10.

Conclusion

Verdict: Unverified

The claim that "salaries for teachers have fallen by 70% in Argentina since Javier Milei took office" remains unverified due to the lack of consistent and reliable data. While several sources suggest a significant decline in purchasing power, estimates vary widely, with some reporting a 25% decline and others asserting a 70% loss. The disparity in these figures raises questions about the methodologies used to calculate them and the potential biases of the reporting sources, particularly those affiliated with educational unions.

Moreover, the broader economic context, including rampant inflation and proposed budget cuts to education, complicates the assessment of salary changes. The projections made by unions about future salary losses also introduce an element of uncertainty, as they are based on anticipated economic conditions rather than confirmed data.

Given these factors, it is essential for readers to critically evaluate the information presented and consider the limitations of the available evidence before drawing conclusions about the state of teachers' salaries in Argentina.

Sources

1. Infogremiales. (2024). Tras un año de Milei, los rectores de universidades reclaman la recomposición salarial de docentes y no docentes. Retrieved from Infogremiales
2. El Détape. (2024). La brusca caída del salario real de los docentes universitarios que explica la crisis educativa en la era Milei. Retrieved from El Détape
3. Chequeado. (2024). Paro universitario: los salarios de los docentes cayeron un 25 en términos reales en la gestión de Javier Milei. Retrieved from Chequeado
4. Política Argentina. (2024). Fuerte ajuste de Milei a la educación en el Presupuesto 2025: cae 38% real contra 2023 y suspende leyes clave. Retrieved from Política Argentina
5. Universidades Hoy. (2024). Daniel Ricci: "Los docentes universitarios sufrimos la mayor pérdida salarial en 40 años de democracia." Retrieved from Universidades Hoy
6. El Détape. (2024). Ajuste a la educación: docentes universitarios de Rosario advierten pérdida salarial del 70%. Retrieved from El Détape
7. Cadena 3. (2024). Hoy concluye el paro universitario en... Retrieved from Cadena 3
8. Santa Fe Plus. (2024). Docentes universitarios advirtieron que sus salarios perderán un 70%. Retrieved from Santa Fe Plus
9. El País. (2024). Recortes Javier Milei: Los profesores paralizan a las universidades argentinas contra el ajuste de Milei. Retrieved from El País
10. Medium. (2024). Educación pública: ¿Qué está pasando con los sueldos docentes? Retrieved from Medium