As an employer looking to bring a business to Argentina, the first query that may arise in your mind could be, “How to hire and pay remote employees in Argentina?”
To make your life easier, we’ve compiled an in-depth discussion on how to pay remote employees in Argentina with the least possible inconvenience and avoid legal issues:
Why Hire Remote Employees in Argentina?
Looking back to December 2023, the monthly inflation in Argentina was 25.5% and 11% in March 2024, as stated by Diplomatic Courier. This demonstrates that the inflation trend brings significant economic instability to the country.
So, the hourly rate of remote employees in Argentina fluctuates every other month. According to WageIndicator, the minimum wage in Argentina in USD is $264 monthly for remote employees, an affordable value for clients worldwide.
Country / Region | Monthly Income |
USA | $6398 |
Canada | $4413 |
United Kingdom | $4103 |
Poland | $1575 |
China | $1071 |
Malaysia | $986 |
Argentina | $966 |
Mexico | $902 |
Brazil | $678 |
Thailand | $603 |
Vietnam | $334 |
Philippines | $329 |
Sri Lanka | $301 |
Bangladesh | $235 |
Pakistan | $130 |
Average Income Globally: Source
Contrarily, opting for cheaper alternatives from some low-income countries, such as Bangladesh, with a monthly income of $235, can be a witty decision.
How to Hire Remote Employees in Argentina?
Managing the hiring process of a remote employee from start to finish, that too, from a separate point on the map, can be hasslesome to most. Keeping so in mind, we’ve compiled some critical points for your concern:
1) Prepare
Prior to hiring a remote employee based in Argentina, your first job is to launch your brand locally through legal means. To do so, you’ll need to follow a few steps:
Every business or individual must register with the tax authority, the Federal Administration of Public Revenues, to ensure compliance with Argentina’s tax regulations. You will obtain a unique tax identification number, or TIN, that will streamline your tax system transactions.
It’s mandatory for any business to have a registered address at the location where it desires to run its operations. This enables each organization to own a legal home where all official transactions, including the receipt and storage of official mail and documents, are conducted.
An exciting step for your business is choosing a distinctive name that will stand out from similar companies. To avoid misleading clients, always make sure that the name coincides with the product or service you’re providing.
Preparing the relevant identification documents for existing shareholders in alignment with legal laws for businesses.
Define your business's short—and long-term goals and activities. It’s suggested that you invest ample time in thinking and reflecting to clearly outline your operational purpose.
2) Recruit
Hiring employees, including those working remotely, is time-consuming and strenuous for an organization. Before making sure that the recruited employees are skilled enough to deal with diverse clients, you need first to decide the type of workforce that your business requires:
Legal Entity ( Perfect for Long-Term Market Presence )
Establishing a legal business entity in Argentina will grant a foreign business full autonomy in the Argentine market. However, this necessitates a significant chunk of investment for long-term plans. Besides, this will require you to:
Register your business while complying with the local laws and jurisdictions
Open a bank account in Argentina that supports foreign transactions
Pay the remote employees in local currency
Employer on Record (EOR) ( Perfect for delegating your establishment tasks )
Employment misclassification may lead to penalties and legal actions if not taken seriously. Additionally, by partnering with an EOR, all your subsidiary responsibilities will be taken care of, such as hiring employees, processing payrolls, tax filing, providing legal advice, etc.
Thus, choosing a reputable legal entity in Argentina that will represent you at the least cost is wise.
Independent Contractors ( Perfect for short-term projects at an affordable pricing )
Temporary contractors can be suitable for companies looking to set up their new business in Argentina or are still growing in the industry.
This means you will be able to save up on expenses while ensuring maximum flexibility to gain leads. Using a Contractor management service for independent workers can be especially useful in making hiring, managing, and paying contractual employees feasible.
3) Key Considerations for Recruiting
When recruiting remote workers for your business, it isn’t simply just hiring and paying. Managing an offshore team also involves a few concerns that need to be handled efficiently:
1) Payroll Structure
Argentine employment law mandates every employer to comply with the local rules and regulations:
2) Overtime
Employees should be entitled to 50% of their agreed-upon salary for extra working hours. On holidays, the overtime pay should equal 100% of the wage.
3) Paid-Leave
Remote employees hired from Argentina can take up to 12 days of.
4) Sick Leave
Once an employee has been confirmed after the probationary period, they can avail of sick leave for up to 35 days:
Less than 5 years of employment: 14 days
Between 5 to 10 years of employment: 21 days
Between 10 to 20 years of employment: 28 days
More than 20 years of employment: 35 days
5) Maternity and Paternity Leave
As an expectant mother, all female employees can enjoy 90 days or three months of maternity leave, also known as Licencia por maternidad.
Covered by social security, this can be segmented into two phases: 45 days before childbirth and 45 days after. The employee can also request an official request to extend leave for up to 6 months.
For male employees, paternity leave, or Licencia por paternidad, is offered for two days immediately after childbirth.
Holidays
Any contractual or permanent employee is eligible for 12 paid public holidays
6) Public Holidays
New Year’s Day
Carnival
Malvubas War Veterans Day
Good Friday
Labour Day
Revolution Day
General Martin Manuel de Guemes Memorial Day
Independence Day
Day of the Immaculate Conception
Christmas Day
San Martin Memorial Day
Columbus Day
National Sovereignty Day
13th Month Pay
Termed as sueldo anual complementarioas by the locals, Argentina's employees are qualified to receive 50% of their salary as a statutory annual bonus. This is paid semi-annually: first in June, then in December, or at the end of the year.
One thing to mention, however, is that the perk is only given to rank-and-file employees who have positively contributed to the company for at least one year.
1) Payroll Deductions
Although there are no hard and fast rules to this, the following sections are permitted for salary deductions:
2) Insurance
This roughly includes medical insurance, occupational disease insurance, accidents in the workplace, workers’ compensation, etc.
3) Pension
An employer can deduct a fixed monthly percentage from the workers’ salaries for pension plans, retirement plans, and social security payments.
4) Taxes
Personal income, municipal, and provincial taxes may be a few more departments for which to withhold wages.
Employees may also be subjected to deductions from their gross earnings per the employer-employee decision. To determine the associated legal issues and make sound decisions, it’s advised that you consult a legal advisor beforehand.
5) Cultural Barriers
Managing a cross-cultural remote team can pose a significant hurdle, especially because Argentines are culturally rich and diverse, with a blend of influences from Latin America and Europe.
Paying Remote Employees in Argentina
Once you’ve figured out the pros and cons of hiring employees, your next question should be, “How much should I pay someone in Argentina?”
To keep the payroll process running smoothly, you can follow the below methods:
Cash Payments
Having an online channel that allows employees to receive cash payments without any security hassles is what a company may prefer:
Argentina’s widely acclaimed prepaid online payment portal enables users to pay in cash at feasible locations nationwide.
An Argentina-based cash payment system that can confirm online orders and later receive payments in person at designated stores or official branches.
Online Payment Channels
Making monthly payments to remote workers may seem like a hassle to many employers. However, thanks to the existence of online payment methods, you can quickly get this task done:
This needs no introduction whatsoever. A globally renowned payment card service that processes transactions safely.
Another multinational digital payment brand, leading in the industry since 1958.
A secured, international mobile payment method allows users to pay via 240+ mobile carriers in 80 countries.
Bank Transfers
The modern banking system makes remote employee payment processing effortless and time-saving. Once you have opened a bank account under your company’s registered name, you can simply wire transfers via some of the most recognized sources:
Final Words
If you are adamant to hire offshore virtual assistant services, we suggest you research a little on the job of a virtual assistant to make hiring and paying them a piece of cake. Good luck with your employee hunting!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my remote employees in Argentina in US dollars?
To pay remote employees in Argentina in US dollars, you can use online payment portals like MasterCard, VISA, Mobiamo, Western Union, Remitly, Wise, etc.
What benefits are remote employees entitled to in Argentina?