Very recently in Argentina’s political sphere, libertarian candidate Javier Milei won the country’s premiership, inheriting a struggling economy and a staggering number of impoverished people. Milei campaigned on a promise to lift Argentina out of its economic crisis and help its people get back on their feet. So far, he has made good on that promise. In the first half of 2024, the poverty rate had surged to 52.9%, but by the latter half of the year, after Milei took office, it dropped sharply to 36.8%.

The Return to Work Program

Milei has become known for figuratively and literally taking a chainsaw to the Argentine government, cutting away bloated or ineffective programs. One such program, Enhance Work, was dismantled and replaced with a new initiative called Return to Work. The program aims to develop and sustain sociolaboral skills for participants transferred from its predecessor. The initiative combines vocational training, certified skill-building and workplace internships with career orientation and job placement support.

Participants receive a fixed monthly non‑remunerative stipend of about $61 for up to 24 months, disbursed directly each month. The program works alongside educational initiatives, promoting completion of basic schooling and literacy where needed. Through partnerships with employment offices, civil society, universities and municipalities, Return to Work offers individualized job search assistance, labour intermediation services and support for both formal employment and independent or cooperative entrepreneurship.

Built on simple tools and community engagement, the scheme fosters employability while cushioning vulnerable households. With clear funding and a defined 24‑month duration, Return to Work delivers structured training, economic support and practical experience in the formal labor market.

The Impact

When people return to work, a nation’s economy begins to recover and Argentina is no exception. In March 2025, the country’s inflation rate stood at 3.7%, but by June, it had dropped to 1.5%. Lower inflation creates more opportunities for impoverished people to improve their circumstances.

Argentina’s Return to Work program has been critical in this turnaround. By connecting thousands of unemployed citizens with stable jobs and offering support services like job matching, the program has helped reduce dependency on government aid.

It also encourages formal employment, which expands the tax base and strengthens public services. As more people find work, consumer spending increases, businesses grow and the cycle of poverty begins to break.

Final Remarks

The most effective way to lift people out of poverty is by providing stable employment and job security. When individuals can work and earn a reliable income, they can rise above their circumstances and live healthier, more dignified lives. If programs like these receive sustained funding, global poverty could one day become a thing of the past. Until then, Argentina’s Return to Work program and others like it, are paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future..

– John Menechino

John is based in Marietta, GA, USA and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr