Research

Research and observatory

Reports, technical documents and policy papers. Research as a tool for advocacy on work, production and development.

46 publications found

  • Report

    Comparative analysis of truck drivers' wages across the continent

    Road transport is the circulatory system of our economy, and those who sustain it deserve an analysis that reflects their true importance. In this detailed report, we set out to go beyond surface figures in order to understand the economic reality of transport workers. We analyse with technical rigour the behaviour of basic wages in contrast with the evolution of the cost of living, inflation and the basic basket of goods. What we present is not merely a comparison between Argentina, regional markets and the economies of the global north; it is a diagnosis of the wage equity challenges facing the sector in an increasingly volatile global context. Is the current income structure sustainable? How does the wage gap affect talent retention and operational efficiency? We invite professionals in the field, logistics leaders and decision-makers to download and debate this analysis, an essential input for designing more humane and sustainable transport policies.

  • Report

    General situation of Argentine ports

    Ports constitute the nerve centres of national logistics and the economy, facilitating foreign trade, job creation and the integration of intermodal transport. Given their critical importance, port security is an imperative that faces modern threats: from organised crime focused on drug trafficking, to cyber vulnerabilities, terrorism and corruption. The report highlights the work of the Argentine Naval Prefecture and the need to adhere to international regulations such as the ISPS Code. In the face of challenges such as obsolete infrastructure and budgetary constraints, it proposes strategic measures including technological modernisation (AI, scanners, blockchain), professional training and the strengthening of international cooperation. The efficient and secure management of these entry points is fundamental to the country's competitiveness and to preventing illicit activities that threaten both the physical security and the international reputation of the ports. Explore this report to understand the strategic importance of Argentine port infrastructure and the measures needed to guarantee its operation and security.

  • Report

    Security in Latin America

    Public security in Latin America presents critical challenges and deep inequalities, where regional comparison allows countries such as Argentina to identify patterns, learn from successful strategies and adapt specific solutions. This report analyses key indicators: homicide rates, violent crime, corruption, impunity and the Gini index. While countries close to the Caribbean show more alarming indicators, often linked to organised crime and drug trafficking, the Southern Cone records comparatively more favourable figures. It is emphasised that high levels of insecurity not only affect victims, but also generate economic costs by discouraging investment and eroding the social fabric, creating a vicious circle of inequality. The document also reflects on social perception in Argentina, suggesting that collective pessimism may distort a reality that, comparatively, shows results closer to European standards than to the regional average on certain indicators. Download this report to analyse in depth the regional security situation and the structural factors that shape it.

  • Report

    Growth and development in Latin America 2000–2022

    This report analyses the complex socio-economic dynamics of Latin America over the last two decades, highlighting both the progress made and the challenges that persist in the region. A marked diversity emerges: while Ecuador, Panama, Bolivia and Paraguay lead in percentage GDP growth, Argentina and Mexico show the smallest relative gains, falling below the regional average. The analysis stresses that GDP growth on its own is insufficient to measure real progress; GDP per capita and the Human Development Index (HDI) offer a more accurate perspective on citizens' well-being. It underlines the importance of adjusting figures for inflation in order to understand real purchasing power, noting that real growth has in some cases been limited. Finally, the document concludes that poverty reduction and improvements in key areas such as health and education are vital indicators of sustainable progress, urging that policies be adapted to the specific realities of each nation. We invite you to explore this comparative analysis of how Latin American economies have evolved and what the challenges for future development are.

  • Report

    The role of trade unions in quality of life and societal happiness

    Trade unions are fundamental actors in improving quality of life and societal well-being. Their main function is collective bargaining to secure fair working conditions, equitable wages, benefits such as healthcare and holidays, and robust job security. In addition to protecting rights against discrimination or exploitation, unions offer training programmes that drive the professional development of their members. This individual well-being, grounded in union support, has a positive impact on society, promoting cooperation and solidarity. The report highlights that economic development alone does not guarantee happiness; factors such as equity and social well-being are crucial. Countries with strong union models, such as the Nordic ones (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway), show a correlation with high indices of well-being and happiness, integrating collective bargaining as a pillar of their social structure. Download this report to explore in depth the impact of trade unionism on the social fabric and on sustainable human development.

  • Report

    The importance of critical infrastructure for a nation

    This report addresses critical infrastructure not only as a network of facilities, but as the foundation on which a nation's prosperity and stability rest. We analyse how assets such as transport, energy and communications act as engines of socio-economic development; for example, it is estimated that public investment of 1% of GDP in infrastructure can significantly raise real GDP in the medium term, while a deficit in this area imposes multi-million-dollar productivity costs. However, most of these critical facilities —around 85% in the United States— belong to the private sector, which makes public-private collaboration an indispensable national security strategy. The document sets out the critical sectoral risks in energy, finance and health, and highlights how proactive investment in resilience can generate measurable social and economic returns in terms of losses avoided in the face of disasters or attacks. Explore this technical analysis to understand the relationship between infrastructure investment and a nation's strategic response capacity in the face of future crises.

  • Report

    Cybersecurity, trucks, roads, logistics and critical infrastructure: the international picture

    The digitalisation of critical infrastructure has brought with it a drastic increase in the attack surface, with reports indicating a 92% rise in cyber incidents affecting critical systems over the past year. This second report examines international case studies that illustrate the devastating impact of such breaches: from the WannaCry ransomware that affected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide, to specific attacks against infrastructure such as the Colonial Pipeline in the United States, the port of Rotterdam or Ukraine's railway systems. In particular, it analyses how the logistics and road transport sector has become a frequent target for the hijacking of fleet management systems and electronic logging devices (ELD). Faced with this reality, the report concludes that safeguarding the network that connects global trade is not merely an operational necessity, but a national security imperative that requires constant vigilance in an increasingly connected world. We invite you to review these international examples and understand the real risks facing our supply chains today.

  • Report

    Cybersecurity, trucks, roads, logistics and critical infrastructure: definitions and concepts

    Critical infrastructure —comprising energy, transport, health, water and financial systems— constitutes the essential basis for the functioning of a society and its national security. With the growing digitalisation of these assets, cybersecurity has ceased to be a peripheral technical matter and has become an integral component of national resilience. This report analyses the deep interdependence between physical infrastructure and digital systems: from the role of trucks as the backbone of goods transport, to how a disruption in road networks or logistics systems can generate cascading effects across vital sectors. The interconnected nature of modern systems means that a vulnerability at any node of the ecosystem can compromise the continuity of essential services. This document therefore underlines the urgent need for a collaborative approach between government agencies and the private sector in order to develop solid and effective cybersecurity frameworks. Download the first report in this series to explore in depth the fundamental concepts and interdependencies that define our modern infrastructure.

  • Report

    Oil and Logistics

    The United States has consolidated its position as the world's largest oil producer, reaching 22% of global output thanks to key technological advances such as fracking and horizontal drilling. This leadership is concentrated mainly in regions such as Texas, North Dakota, New Mexico and Alaska, areas with extreme geographical and climatic conditions that challenge operational continuity. In the Permian Basin, the desert climate brings temperatures above 45°C and water scarcity, while in fields such as Bakken or Prudhoe Bay, workers face winters with temperatures as low as -62°C. Against this backdrop, the report stresses that the sector's viability depends not only on extraction capacity, but on robust support infrastructure. This includes climate-controlled accommodation, canteens with nutritious food, on-site mechanical workshops and recreation centres that not only reduce staff fatigue and stress, but constitute a strategic investment in occupational safety and logistical productivity. We invite you to access this detailed report on how human capital management and physical infrastructure are fundamental pillars for maintaining national energy independence.

  • Report

    Trade unionism as social containment in times of crisis

    In times of global economic crisis, trade unionism has proven to be far more than a wage-bargaining tool: it becomes a factor of social containment that is indispensable for stability. Through mobilisation, the defence of jobs and pressure to prevent austerity measures from falling on the most vulnerable sectors, unions act as a shield against the impact of recessions. Their ability to negotiate agreements that protect employment and to keep public awareness of the social costs of the crisis alive is fundamental to preventing the disintegration of the social fabric and to promoting public policy solutions geared towards inclusion. We invite you to review how union action has historically served as a buffer and a pillar of resilience in emergency situations, demonstrating its strategic importance for the balance of society.

  • Report

    International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)

    The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC/CSI) stands as the global voice of workers, representing interests that transcend national borders. As the world's largest trade union federation, its mission ranges from the defence of basic human and trade union rights to the active fight against any form of discrimination in the workplace. Its work is essential to driving international economic policies that place workers and social justice at the centre of the agenda, fostering international cooperation that guarantees decent working conditions for all, regardless of country or region. We invite you to learn more about the scope, structure and lines of action of the ITUC, and how its constant work in international forums strengthens the defence of the rights of the working class in the face of the pressures of the global economy.

  • Report

    The future of trade unions and the ILO's analysis

    The world of work is going through a stage of accelerated transformation, marked by technological disruption, environmental demands and unprecedented demographic change. Against this backdrop, the ILO points out that the relevance of trade unions will depend on their capacity to adapt. The challenge is enormous: it is imperative to implement innovative tactics and build new coalitions that make it possible to effectively represent all workers, including those in atypical jobs, digital platforms and informal sectors that have historically been left outside traditional structures. The trade unionism of the future must be able to integrate these new realities in order to remain a central actor in the protection of labour rights. We invite you to reflect on the critical challenges facing the labour movement and to explore in depth the revitalisation paths proposed in response to the new demands of a labour market that never stops changing.