Despite the high inflation of the first two months of the mandate, the Government confirmed that
it will not pay the two installments scheduled
for February and March of the so-called
"salary hierarchy" of the Armed Forces
with the argument that this expenditure was not foreseen by the previous Government which, in addition, he accused of having promoted this measure with an "electoralist" tone.
In fact, the advance reported at the end of December by this newspaper was confirmed when concern prevailed among those in uniform because
the payment
of this incentive that seeks to advance the delayed salary equalization with the security forces, which have been very advantaged in their income compared to military personnel.
The previous administration paid the first three installments of the plan and the last two remained to be paid, of a 10% increase each, which run independently of an eventual equal increase.
In fact, the 16% adjustment agreed with the state unions will be applied to January salaries, but not that bonus made official in 2023 by a resolution signed by former ministers Jorge Taiana (Defense) and Sergio Massa (Economy).
The first installment of the "hierarchization" was implemented last March with an increase of 14%, then with a second tranche that was 14% and finally, a 12% increase granted during November.
"It will not be possible to proceed"
Now a statement from the Ministry of Defense has been released that warns that "since the previous administration has not provided for the corresponding budget item to meet the quotas for the salary hierarchy of the Armed Forces, it
will not be possible to proceed with the payment of the same
", in reference to the adjustments planned for January and March salaries.
The text also points out that "it is important to highlight that,
under a clearly electoral attitude and financial incompetence
, the previous administration continued to promise the remaining payment of said hierarchy, knowing that the reports in the file indicated the opposite. In this context, the current government received emptied ministries, a country in debt and a State devastated and devoid of resources."
In the same sense, he considers that "this
irresponsible behavior
shows, once again, what has been the criterion implemented to manage the resources of the State" of the Kirchner administration.
Taiana
issued a statement this Thursday in which he argued that the 2024 Budget project contemplated the items to face these expenditures but the Executive's decision not to approve it and, instead, "to redirect the 2023 budget had the objective of liquefying
the expenses
" of the State.
In recent weeks there was a lot of concern among those in uniform about this situation: they hoped to be able to access these sums as a way to increase income liquefied by high inflation.
The cut, in fact,
hits a sector considered "as its own electorate" by the ruling party
.
Vice Victoria Villarruel, very committed to the forces, preferred not to comment on the controversy.
Unrest in a body of 95 soldiers
In the ruling party, however, they recognize
that this decision "generates discomfort"
among a body made up of almost 95 soldiers.
Another reason for discord is the versions about an alleged plan to privatize the IOSFA social work and some military sources warn about "excessive expenses due to uprooting and mobility" of the new authorities.
"Although the Ministry of Defense considers it
fair and necessary to equate the salary of the Armed Forces with the personnel of the Security Forces
in order to vindicate the work of the men and women who dedicate their lives to defending the Homeland, said plan hierarchy must be realistic, sincere and in accordance with the economic situation of the country," adds the ministry's statement and indicates that "it will continue working" to improve the economic situation of personnel "and the military family."
As could be found out from military sources, Minister Luis Petri (Defense) weeks ago tried to make representations to the Treasury Palace but "the current economic situation" prevented him from complying with the planned scheme.
The former vice presidential candidate, before announcing the measure, informed the
heads of the forces of the decision not to pay said incentive.
In the ruling party, however, they argue that there is a decision to grant
"salary recognition"
to those in uniform but that everything will depend "on the economic future" of the country.
What is happening is that the Government is immersed in a spending adjustment that allows it to reduce the fiscal deficit to try to lower inflation and, at the same time, comply with the commitments endorsed with the IMF.