It is widely agreed that there are two main reasons for why this rise to Secretary of Labour and Welfare made Peron so popular. The first is that in this position, he had the authority to adapt the governmental policies to what the unions asked for: governmental aid in employing, housing and supporting the great mass of workers that overflowed the cities making the left wing parties less appealing. As tends to happen in countries which face harsh economical periods, the left had gained some support from the workers in Argentina who felt repressed and ignored but now, these masses realized that reforms were more likely to take place if they went to Peron instead of supporting a possible revolution. Here, it is important to have in mind what were the reforms that actually took place under his leadership to access their relationship to the actual demands of the unions. These included the improving in the labour legislation, regulations against arbitrary job dismissal, the establishing of the right to paid holidays for workers, retirement benefits, the creation of new syndicates and commissions, the increase in wages and many others.
The second reason is defended to be Peron’s personal involvement in these newly acquired rights. Of course, the changes in the labour legislation were not done completely gratis. In exchange for the recognition of these new rights, Peron expected the unions to recognize government leadership over their affairs in an attempt to militarize the trade unions. As a military himself, this reform would bring the government closer to the workers in a more efficient and tight work as well as control relationship. The most important labour organization was the CGT which split into CGT1 and CGT2 in 1943. The latter was dissolved by Peron under the accusation of being communist while the first was restructured as one single union who responded directly to Peron. Despite this personal benefit, it has to be recognized that these reforms addressed precisely what the unions demanded satisfying them and making the workers who feared of losing their newly gained rights, loyal Peronists.
Having the authority to perform changes in the workers’ legislation, Peron authored reforms which made the people feel that instead of being repressed by the government, as they were used to, they were being heard and that their welfare was being taken into account for the first time. This made them not only satisfied with the present government (something which had not happened since before the Infamous Decade) but, because of Peron’s open presence as the driving force behind these changes, the people also became loyal to Peron more than to the Estate. The masses went from being a possible threat to becoming a strong compliant force and source of great support which would, in the years to follow, be the reason for Peron’s victory as President of Argentina as well as his most loyal allies while in power. Having all of these arguments in mind, it is clear that being named the Secretary of Labour and Welfare of Argentina in 1943 was not only the first but a huge step towards his victory since it meant he now had the support of a class which made up most of the Argentine population and would remain loyal to him in two elections to follow. Still, other factors which contributed to his victory cannot be overlooked, such as the influence of Evita Peron as a popular figure, having had just as much or even more influence in his rise.
Word Count: 778
by
olgasaadi (student)
