What’s a better way to spend day three in the city of Buenos Aires other than a guided tour through some of the most famous and beautiful neighborhoods. Our first stop on our tour was Plaza de Mayo, but this was not actually our first time there! Prior to our tour, we had two lectures including meetings with the current Minister of Health in the City of Buenos Aires, Dr. Daniel Ferrante, as well as the head of the Commerce Union, Dr. Gabriel Leverstein. Our first meeting was right next to Plaza de Mayo, and we learned about the role of the Minister of Health in a city. One difference about Buenos Aires is that although it is not a province, its local government acts like one due to the very dense population.
After our first meeting, we drove back to the Universidad de Austral and had our lecture with Dr. Leverstein. Throughout this meeting, we were told about the various problems and situations that arise in the largest workers union in Buenos Aires. Unions cover about 65% of the Argentine population, and are experiencing a variety of new issues due to the changes in government and restrictions. Although anyone who enters Argentina is entitled to free healthcare, anyone who is employed must be a part of a union. Depending on how large of a union, it can either supply its members with their own form of insurance and facilities or contract private companies to do the same.
The interesting part is that due to major inflation and the removal of restrictions on price controls, people are actually using the public system more so that way they don’t have to pay for procedures that the union cannot even afford. However, workers are mandated to be a part of a union, so they always have access to multiple systems unlike unemployed citizens who can only use the public system.
After learning about how every worker must be a part of a union, it sparked thought as we passed by various different shops or restaurants and are aware that all of these people are covered under both the public and private. During our tour, we went back to Plaza de Mayo, then traveled to San Telmo, and finished the adventure off in La Boca which was filled with bright colored buildings and beautiful outdoor markets. It was amazing to travel outside the area of our hotel, and see what else there is to the city of Buenos Aires. I am so excited to go back to these areas during our trip, and be able to go into the various markets and see what is offered. I am so excited to see where else we are going to go on this trip, and will also be thinking about the private sector as we travel to different places as well.