Wholesalers reject “hidden costs” in new deal

After business and the union agreed on salary guidelines that were to be implemented in the coming months, the Chamber of Wholesalers protested

June 12, 2025 – 7:30 p.m

The salary agreement between the trade union and the main economic chambers in the sector includes the following: 1.2 million employees and it is the largest collective agreement in the country, triggered a strong reaction of rejection from him Argentine Chamber of Dealers and Self-Service Wholesalers (CADAM). Although the agreement guarantees a gratuitous fixed amount of $60,000 to be paid in four installments to mitigate the impact of inflation, the protest is focused on the so-called “Hidden costs” which, according to wholesalers, make competitiveness more expensive and are transferred to prices.

The focus of the conflict is that a salary increase is agreed upon in each case automatically collects a series of compulsory contributions for institutions and insurance companies, although the wholesale sector is not at the negotiating table. They from CADAM sharply criticized the situation: “We don’t feel represented, they give us the bill for a table that we don’t attend.” This is what the company argues These rising labor costs encourage informality and have a direct impact on the end consumer.

The Chamber of Wholesale emphasized the need for urgent labor reform that protects small and medium-sized businesses from these “abuses” and called for that these mandatory amounts are integrated into the employee’s direct salary. “Stop hiding behind a payslip or a sales receipt,” they shouted, demanding permission from the Labor Minister to take part in the common table that sets guidelines for the entire sector.

Trade parity: Why the Chamber of Wholesalers is complaining

The point most questioned by CADAM is this Compulsory contribution to the Argentine Institute of Vocational and Technological Training for Commerce (INACAP). This institute receives the equivalent of under the guise of training and institutional strengthening 0.5% of the Maestranza A category salary for each employeean amount that increases automatically with each equal increase.

According to the wholesale company The majority of this collection “benefits” the chambers themselves. who are precisely involved in salary negotiations: the Argentine Chamber of Commerce and the Argentine Association of Medium Enterprises.

Although Decree 149/2025 aimed to eliminate mandatory financial burdens in favor of the Chambers of Commerce for non-members, INACAP managed to maintain the validity of this contribution by: a Precautionary measureand claims to be an “independent” institute. As part of this legal process, it was found that the company was earning more than 30 billion dollars per year.

The post on INACAP is not the only one to cause controversy. CADAM also questions this automatic increase in other salary-related conceptsresulting in higher indirect labor costs:

1. La Estrella insurance: The supplementary compulsory pension insurance La Estrella will be increased, which has accounted for 1.6% of employee wages since June 2025.
2. COVID-19 solidarity contribution: The solidarity contribution to OSECAC social work, introduced in April 2021 in the middle of the pandemic, which is still charged per worker to this day, even if the worker is not affiliated with OSECAC, remains in place.

Common trade: free payments and verification in 2026

The salary agreement, signed by the Federation of Commerce and Services Employees (FAECyS) together with CAC, CAME and UDECA, provides for a series of gratuitous payments aimed at restoring purchasing power in the coming months.

• Fixed Amount: A free fixed amount of $60,000 is paid, payable in four equal installments in December, January, February and March.
• Inclusion in the basic salary: The amount corresponding to March 2026 will be incorporated into the basic salary in April of the same year.
• Review: The parties agreed on a review meeting scheduled for March 2026 with the aim of analyzing the evolution of the economy and inflation while constantly monitoring the impact of economic changes on salaries in the industry.