Professor Luciana Sparta, Professor and researcher at the University of Buenos Aires, discussed the effects of COVID-19 in Argentina, in a virtual panel discussion on ‘Migrants and Immigrants during COVID 19: Country Specific Cases’ hosted by the Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism [GRFDT] on the 10th of May 2020.
Shift in social composition
Professor Sparta began her address by highlighting that Argentina predominantly consists of immigrants,since the majority of them are Europeans who were recognized as Argentinians during the formation of the nation-state. In the last two decades, however, there has been a shift in social composition whenthe people of African, Asian and Latin American descent began to be recognized as Argentinians. This could be viewed as a positive shift towards unity and integration in Argentina but in practice, discrimination continues to exist and COVID-19 has increased its visibility.
Discrimination during COVID-19
Prof. Sparta pointed out that since the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in March, there has been increase in discrimination towards“Chinese and Koreans who were found guilty of the pandemic”. They were forced out of their livelihoods and the National Institute Against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism, Argentina recorded anincrease in complaints concerned with discrimination since the advent of COVID-19. While acknowledging that Chinese and Koreans had been the initial victims of discrimination, Prof. Sparta noted that soon the blame came to be carried by European immigrants as well, “particularly the Spaniards and the Italians… who came to be viewed as a threat.”
The government’s early decision to close borders, prohibit flights to Europe and deport approximately 300 Spaniards and Italians could have contributed to discrimination against Europeans.
Can Argentina provide social securityto the migrants?
The discrimination against migrants shall be exacerbated by the worsening state of Argentinian economy.The government is struggling to repay the loan borrowed from IMF while the diminishing job market is facing the prospect of accommodating returning Argentinian emigrant workers, who have lost their jobs in host countries. Thus, there is also the possibility of paucity in remittances.
It is estimated that 58 percent of migrants ceased to receive income during quarantine and in the last two months, they have received no income: Professor Luciana Sparta
Argentina had witnessed an influx of Venezuelan migrants, who are undocumented and hence lack access to social security provided by the government in the wake of the pandemic.African migrants, who were mostly employed in the informal sector as street vendors,continue to face difficulty in continuing their job despite the flexibility of quarantine imposed. The migrants also cannot go back to their home countries due to the lack of financial resources and restrictions imposed due to the pandemic.
Prof. Sparta concluded her address by acknowledging that COVID-19 has divided Argentinians but it was too early to tell what the full social impact would be.
Inomusa Ndlovu
A Zimbabwean, creative writer, feminist and a student of M.A in Political Science at the University of Lucknow, India. She can be reached on twitter @InomusaCN