Transvestite and transgender people. “Although the allowance was very low, this program was very important because it served as a gateway to employment and training without having to go through a lot of paperwork. Furthermore, that amount counted towards seniority for retirement. For transvestite and transgender people, it's not easy to approach government agencies because they are always turned away,” transvestite activist Marlene Wayar, who works at the Ministry of Labor, told Presentes.

[READ ALSO: #Argentina: progress and shortcomings of the trans employment quota]

According to the Ministry of Labor's website, "The ScyE provided training, a sum of money and benefits so that those actively seeking work could obtain a quality job." When asked about the program's suspension, Employment Secretary Miguel Ángel Ponte told Presentes: “This program is not necessary to cover the other programs of the Ministry. The monetary value of this program is completely obsolete ($300), and its only purpose was to serve as an entry point to the other programs, which remain fully operational.” According to trans activist Violeta Alegre, who worked with the ScYE program, thanks to the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), this benefit—which dates back to 2013—was key to the job placement of many trans people, both in Buenos Aires and in other provinces. It also helped them complete their studies and encouraged the development of micro-enterprises.

[READ ALSO: Gualeguaychú launches a job club for trans youth]

“It was the only insurance that recognized our identity. The Gender and Diversity Advisory Office of the Ministry of Labor worked with Resolution 3331. They thoroughly studied the trans population and how to reach the women, which isn't easy, because you have to go to the communities, not wait for them to come to you. Being the 'gateway' is no small thing for the trans and travesti population,” said Alegre. For his part, the press director of the Ministry of Labor, Santiago Fernández Cosimano, told Presentes that the insurance was suspended because “it wasn't having an impact.” “Starting next week, a Secretariat for Equal Opportunities in the Workplace will be created, and vulnerable individuals will be directly enrolled in its programs. Something that obsesses me is the issue of data. But because it's a vulnerable population, it's difficult to obtain data. And part of the LGBT community doesn't want to provide information. But we are fully committed to this population.” When asked about plans for the labor market integration of the trans and travesti population, he said: “It’s a very high-profile issue that will be empowered.” But he couldn’t give details. However, Wayar added, “Today, in this context, even with their empty promises, they’ve left the travesti population completely unprotected. Removing this specific support is abandoning us to a transphobic and discriminatory system.”