2024 brought with it the effective implementation of several measures approved within the framework of the Accountability Law which came into effect from January 1st in Uruguay: In addition to tax issues, there are also limits on fines, driver’s license regulations, work and family modifications, and policies aimed at reducing the child poverty.
On January 1st the law of Accountability approved in the Parliament, and one of the most relevant provisions for the daily life of Uruguayans is that no person who is registered in the Report Clearing with any delay in the payment of credits, you may be denied access to public services, including guarantees of the General Accounting of the Nation.
This is of fundamental relevance in a context in which the overindebtedness of natural persons is an important problem in Uruguay.
Along with the measures, one of the most controversial measures during the legislative debate also came into effect: the cap on fines for speeding. The limit is already applicable to violations on national routes throughout the country, and is located at 10 Resettable Units (UR); that is, 16,300 pesos.
Likewise, at the level of vehicular circulation, other associated provisions apply. Among them, the “pedagogical” approach to speed violations so that drivers understand the limits. This will be carried out with the installation of pedagogical devices together with the radars that indicate the maximum speeds in an operation that should take, at most, 18 months. After this time, fines coming from radars that do not comply with this point will be void.
Another vehicular issue incorporated is that people up to 75 years of age will be able to apply for professional driving licenses, including trucks with no load limit, as long as they meet the required psychophysical and technical aptitudes.
Modifications in work and family licenses
Among the modifications implemented, those that impact the daily lives of Uruguayans also stand out. One of them is the one that allows, since yesterday, they can be absent for up to four hours a month – counted as hours worked – from their workplaces to accompany their partner to pregnancy check-ups.
Furthermore, in the public sphere the Maternity leave It will be extended until 18 weeks in cases where the baby weighed up to 1.5 kilos at the time of birth; while it may be extended until the newborn is six months old in those cases in which he or she presents a disorder or illness that requires hospitalization or treatment.
On the other hand, the omission in payment of food fee It became considered a crime and subject to sanctions that could reach prison.
Long-term measures: child poverty and population situation
He 2023 Census revealed two issues rooted at the population level in Uruguay: on the one hand, the current demographic dynamics of population reduction; and, on the other, the high levels of child poverty in the country.
Regarding the first point, the law that came into effect with the new year creates a Commission of Experts on Population Policy that will operate in the orbit of the Office of Planning and Budget (OPP). Its objective will be to prepare recommendations regarding policies aimed at facing the impact of the country’s current demographic dynamics, seeking to avoid or reduce the negative effects of low birth rates.
The second long-term policy is the creation of the Childhood Fund, whose goal is to end child poverty. To this end, it will be in charge of using the resources assigned to it to strengthen the social insertion of minors who make up poor and vulnerable households. It will begin to operate with an allocation of 4 million pesos, and will also obtain other resources assigned by the State, coming from inheritances, legacies or donations, and international loan funds.
Other provisions of the Accountability
In addition to these provisions, other issues implemented in the Accountability law is the ban for five years on the manufacture and sale of products meat substitutes made with animal cells; and the incorporation of reliable information on the origin of plant foods.
Federated athletes and coaches who are preparing to compete will also be able to access a scholarship of up to 28,000 pesos per month, distributed by the Uruguay Sports Foundation and assigned according to the achievements of each applicant.
Finally, the licenses in force today for community and commercial radio stations. And in the area of security, the Police will be empowered to demand from any public or private entity the records of its security cameras when trying to clarify a crime, which must be delivered within 48 hours.
Source: Ambito
