Usredotočenje na stvarnu radnu krizu

The government has ordered several ministries to prepare an emergency labor plan aimed at addressing the sharp rise in unemployment, which is nearing double digits. Currently, around 980,000 people are unemployed, according to recent reports. Details of the initiative are expected to be announced by the end of the month or early October, once July activity figures and the June, August unemployment rate are available. These figures are anticipated to show even worse conditions. The goal is to create 25,000 jobs, adding to another 25,000 that the cross-sectoral table aims to launch by the end of October. The 2027 Budget Law will emphasize job creation, marking a shift toward economic recovery. At this point, there is no doubt that the country is facing a labor emergency. This is reflected in public concern, with surveys showing that citizens' main worry has shifted from insecurity to lack of employment opportunities and persistent economic decline. The recently passed Reconstruction Law offers long-term hope, as its tax incentives are expected to boost investment and thus the labor market, particularly in sectors reliant on manual labor such as construction. A short-term employment plan was previously missing from the strategy, making the government's announcements timely. However, it is essential to recognize the true stakes here. While creating 50,000 jobs over the coming months would provide temporary relief, it barely addresses the scale of unemployment. The core issue lies in structural factors that have led to high unemployment rates. For instance, unemployment remained above 8% for 39 months, surpassing 9% starting April. Evidence shows the economy has not recovered the employment levels before the pandemic, indicating a deeper problem. Therefore, the government's primary objective should focus on reversing these root causes. Without doing so, doubts remain whether the expected investment surge will translate into sufficient job creation, challenging the Ministry of Finance's target of reducing unemployment to 6.5% by year-end. The current economic slowdown over the past decade has made a dynamic labor market difficult to achieve. Growth is therefore imperative, and the Reconstruction Law plays a key role. However, international comparisons suggest that some countries with similar economic structures have managed to avoid such crises. For example, Peru maintains a lower unemployment rate of just over 4%. This implies that internal decisions have significantly contributed to Chile's situation. Notably, labor costs have risen sharply, increasing by approximately 50% in a decade. This rapid increase appears to be the primary reason behind the persistence of high unemployment. Experts have pointed out that the significant rise in the minimum wage, data from LyD indicates a 24.5% increase between April 2023 and January 2025, while inflation rose only 7%, alongside laws such as the "40-hour" law, has played a critical role in exacerbating the situation. These policies have created challenges for businesses, contributing to the ongoing labor crisis. As a result, the government faces mounting pressure to address these structural issues effectively.