In the early hours of this morning, city government officials approved a bill for a law that would
allow for the non-punishable practice of abortion to occur in cases of rape and life endangerment in
the City of Buenos Aires.

The Supreme Court for National Justice passed the law with 30 positive votes and 29 negative. The
majority of the negative votes however, came from members of the Propuesta Republicana (PRO),
the party of Mauricio Macri, and there is a fear that the Mayor of the city of Buenos Aires could
still veto the law.

“We hope that this case will not become yet another vetoed law,” said Maria Rachid, a deputy of
Frente para la Victoria.

The law will allow women over the age of 14 to have an abortion without first having to gain court
permission in situations where pregnancies are life threatening or induced by rape.

The law was passed as a result of a lengthy session in which representatives of both sides of the
debate presented information to city lawmakers.

Moody’s Corporation announced Thursday that 30 Argentine banks have dropped from a “stable” rating to a “negative” rating. This change reflects the correlation between the credit profiles of banks and the government, according to Moody’s.

Problems include “continued haphazard policy environment” with regards to the nationalization of YPF, “concerns about Argentina’s official data reporting” regarding GDP and inflation rates, and unwillingness to pay almost US$9bn in debt to Paris Club creditors.

The negative rating incorporates the risks related “to a growing government intervention through unfavorable mechanisms for revenue generation, dynamic funding and financial flexibility of institutions”.

Moody’s Corporation provides credit ratings and research for global capital markets, according to its website.

In August 2011, Moody’s changed the Argentine bond situation from “stable” to “negative”.

The previous report cited problems with fragile profit, vulnerable investor confidence and the country’s exposure to political risks that could affect the distribution of capitalism.

Moody’s said they will consider moving the rating back to “stable” when Argentina demonstrates more consistent and predictable policies.

Illegal business sales in Capital Federal have reached an “all time high” during September, according to The Argentina Confederation of Medium Businesses (CAME).

A survey released today reported that seven new informal markets opened in September with 817 new illegal stalls selling 17.1% more than in August.

“The penetration of illegal sales in the nation’s capital is unprecedented,” the survey stated.

Illegal markets earned a total of $386.5million in September at an average rate of $12.5million every day, according to the survey. CAME blamed this increase on a rise in sellers and lack of control of city streets.

“The city of Buenos Aires will continue to be populated by illegal business. The surprising increase that happened in September is a preview of what will happen by the end of the year if authorities do not take serious control,” according to CAME.

The survey covered 437 blocks and plazas near railway stations in Constitución, Once, Retiro and Lacroze. The majority of the stalls are involved in illegal sale of counterfeit sportswear.

For some time, business groups have been in dispute with informal street sellers, known locally as ‘manteros‘, who they claim pay no taxes and undercut prices.

Five airline unions announced today that they will be taking industrial action starting Monday after failing to agree on salary increases with the employees of the National Administration of Civil Aviation (ANAC).

The action is expect to affect all commercial flights in the country.

“We are not talking about a strike. We are going to be taking industrial assemblies that will unfortunately affect passengers,” said Marcelo Uhrich, press secretary for The Union of Senior Airline Company Staff and Professionals. “This is not our objective, but the workers cannot take it anymore. It has been six months since wage negotiations ended.”

Wage negotiations have been suspended since 31st March, according to Uhrich. The airline companies “have offered a 19% increase, a joke. We have exhausted dialogue without an agreement.”

A union spokesman said that the following groups will be taking industrial action: the Union of Senior Airline Company Staff and Professions (UPSA), the Aeronautical Staff Association (APA), the Airline Pilot Association (APLA) and the Argentina Association of Air Navigation (AAA) together with the Union of Airline Airmen (UALA).

“There are circumstantial problems and many factors that have led to this crisis,” the spokesman said.

According to the spokesman, during the last six months there have been several meetings but the groups could not make an agreement.

“Unfortunately we could not close the gap. The situation has elevated to unacceptable levels for the aviation workers,” the spokesman said.

An expat translator fed up with the shortage of available outlets, fickle Wi-Fi connection, and endless rotation of coffee dates at her local café. A programmer struggling to maintain a productive work/life balance while freelancing from his living room. An entrepreneur dreading outfitting an office along with the rest of her new business. Unlikely though it may seem, each of these independent workers are likely to find a solution to their problems under the same roof.

Co-working spaces provide a great 'office' for freelance and virtual workers. (Photo courtesy of Urban Station)

Coworking combines the flexibility and independence of working from home with the professionalism and social outlets of a traditional office. More than just a middle ground, the combination also connects those who would otherwise work alone with new partners, clients, and friends.

A number of changes in professional work culture may account for the emergence of coworking. Technology’s impact on communication has levelled the limits of long-distance business relationships; working remotely is now much easier than before. One coworking business owner speculated that self-employment might be particularly attractive to Argentines because many lack faith in corporate stability after recent economic hardships. If large businesses no longer offer the same level of financial security—or are perceived as such- then more Argentines would turn to self-employment.

For whatever reason, coworking in Argentina is on the rise. According to a recent article by La Nación, the first coworking space in the country opened in Buenos Aires in 2007. In only five years, these spaces have flourished throughout the capital and spread across the country. Young people, foreigners, and members of the technology and creative industries are well represented among users.

Companies commonly offer the basics: desks and chairs, wireless internet, phones, printing, conference rooms, and kitchen items sufficient to heat up lunch. Usage plans, however, vary greatly from an hourly drop-in rate to annual contracts with many other configurations falling in the middle. (Given the range of options, please consult directly for specific plans and prices.) Facilities, location, community, size, and concept likewise run the gambit, so to help narrow down the options, here are the Indy’s top picks.

Urban Station provides a warm and inviting work environment. (Photo courtesy of Urban Station)

1. Urban Station

If in your opinion, the only thing wrong with the café around the corner its the erratic Wi-Fi connection, then Urban Station is for you. Its cosy, informal vibe is as close to a coffee shop as they come, while flexible drop-in plans and playful ambience make working feel less like a chore.

Urban Station’s Community Room is the grown-up version of your college library. Groups hunch over a single screen, conversing quietly, while clusters of laptop users work plugged into their headphones. Receptionists attend from behind a coffee bar. Like the clientele, the décor is upbeat and youthful, with bulletin boards full of business cards, secondary school-style lockers, and plenty of bright colours. Armchairs and communal tables enjoy abundant natural light beneath a two-story ceiling.

While quiet, it’s certainly busy enough to make taking a Skype call acceptable. Unlike our other picks, Urban Station plays unobtrusive music softly in the background. The second floor converts easily into an event space used for standard presentations as well as casting calls for models and actors.

Urban Station makes play as well as productivity a priority. The Palermo Soho location offers bikes for quick jaunts about the neighbourhood, while a San Telmo location, opening in mid-October, will offer a recreation room and a deck for cocktail parties and happy hours.

One unique upside of Urban Station is its flexible usage plans: dropping in and paying per hour is an option and plans can be used at any of their two (soon to be three) branches.

Urban Station has locations in Palermo and Microcentro, with a San Telmo office coming soon.

2. Céspedes Coworking

Doodled across the chalkboard in the Céspedes Coworking kitchen is the reminder, “Don’t stop playing.” Wise words for this small, artistic community committed to mutual respect and collective inspiration.

Céspedes offices. (Photo courtesy of Céspedes)

Céspedes calls home to a loft unit in a renovated Colegiales factory. The layout is open, aside from a single conference room, and small, with desk space for only 14. Although blonde wood tones dominate, touches like exposed brick and floor-to-ceiling graphite wall art give the space a creative feel. Expansive windows admit soft morning light from the east and provide impressive sunset views to the west.

Of the community, founder Paul Iribarne admits “an inclination towards the creative areas” and mentions architects, writers, graphic designers, filmmakers, translators, and journalists among the company’s typical clientele. Although all professions are welcome, compatibility is key (dependency upon frequent telephone use or visitors, for example, is vetted). For those whose projects dictate a schedule beyond the nine-to-five, 24-hour access is available.

Possibly the most distinct feature of Céspedes is its size. With room for only 14 and a minimum commitment of one month, coworkers are bound to get to know each other. They host asados, language conversation classes, cooking lessons and film viewings, often inspired and facilitated by the members themselves. “People feel very much a part of the place,” says Iribarne, “like they belong to something.”

For more information on Céspedes, click here.

Areatres workspace in Palermo. (Photo courtesy of Areatres)

3. Areatres workplace

Crisp white with green accents. Touches of brushed aluminium. Small potted bamboo shoots. Areatres’ clean look hints at how hassle-free working here is. Spatial options vary from the unusually small to the unusually large, yet no matter the scale, the fine points are in place. Areatres’ meticulous attention to detail allows you to get back to… well, work.

Areatres’ spaces include several unique options. From “1.5-person desks”, which offer four walls and a desk large enough for a single person and a perching visitor, to a presentation room large enough to accommodate up to 120 people, it has the market locked on scale. A private office suite offers common desk space, several small conference rooms, and a private kitchen and bathroom. This ‘office within an office’ gives larger companies all the perks of their own facility without any of the logistical hassle.

Areatres prioritises attention to detail and high-quality service, offering tech support, translation services, or event catering as requested, “We’re kind of a combination between a front desk and a concierge,” says Guillermina Providenti, Areatres Community Manager.

The company stands out for its interest in environmental sustainability and community involvement. Thoughtful details like rainwater use, worm composting, and battery recycling demonstrate an eco-friendly mentality. Areatres has been known to offer use of its spaces to local non-profit organisations and its kitchens collect donations for causes such as a local hospital and animal rescue.

Community building efforts that started with “Sushi Fridays” have now developed into regular picnics, soccer games, happy hours and other activities designed to bring people together away from their laptops.

Areatres have offices in Palermo Viejo and Palermo Hollywood.

4. The Office

If the name conjures images of Ricky Gervais or Michael Scott, forget it. Palermo’s The Office is anything but antics.

The Office work stations. (Photo courtesy of The Office)

Sophisticated black and beige is the hallmark of The Office’s sleek design. Rows of 46 individual desks extend to the back of the room, with skylights spilling prized sunshine down on the coworkers. Unlike other coworking companies, whose spaces bear greater resemblance to dining tables than cubicles, desks are divided to provide more personal space.

But what really distinguishes The Office from its counterparts is its upscale, traditional style. From the understated entrance to the neutral décor, the facility seems to reference the classiest of corporate boardrooms, ideal for those wanting to impress clients. There is no communal kitchen, no community bulletin board, and no patio furniture. As such, the noise level is essentially non-existent and everything has a thoroughly down-to-business polish. The Office caters perfectly to those less keen on casual collaboration and who prefer to work in a classic office setting.

Membership at The Office also includes discounts at local restaurants, a Spanish school, and at all P Hotels, one of which is conveniently located next door. For those who conduct business internationally, The Office’s extra perks could facilitate travel logistics.

Less than a month old, The Office is a newcomer to Buenos Aires’ coworking landscape. Those who prefer a solitary work style, travel often, or work with high-end clients will welcome an option that embraces a new model while maintaining classic professionalism.

For more information on The Office, click here.

5. Workstation Microcentro

Workstation describes their typical client as a young Argentine working in the technology industry, perhaps as a developer, programmer, or entrepreneur. Maybe that’s why Workstation emits a somewhat Google-esque vibe: techy, energetic, social.

Outfitted exclusively in minimalist blue, yellow, green, and red against white, Workstation Microcentro's layout includes a balance between open space and private offices. (Photo courtesy of Workstation Microcentro)

Outfitted exclusively in minimalist blue, yellow, green, and red against white, the layout includes a balance between open space and private offices. A large cafeteria area encourages collaboration and social connection on an everyday basis. With no less than 14 private offices for 2-20 employees, Workstation is another great option for companies looking for starter office space.

For those located on the northern side of the city, Workstation allows you to use each of their centres equally (the other is located in Belgrano), making a schlep into the city centre less onerous.

From a brief tour through the Microcentro location, the number of conversations held in English is striking. Because it only opened last July, it is hard to say if the Anglophone trend will persist, but for now, Workstation Microcentro might be a good choice for English-speakers staying in the country temporarily or who prefer to avoid the challenge of a foreign language.

Workstation Microcentro will be hosting Freelancer Week 2012 from 25th-28th September in which the public is welcome to both work and attend workshops on elements on effective freelance work (given in Spanish) for free. To top it off, stick around until the end for gifts, promotions, and raffles.

Workstation have locations in Microcentro and Belgrano.

How much do you know about Flores or Belgrano? Have you heard about the mysterious tragedy of the fiancés in Barracas? Have the cute tangueros of Balvanera sung for you on the hidden street Pasaje Discepolo?

Theatrical performance on the street, accompanied by musicians. (Photo: Mariano Gambaccini)

For experienced travellers and expats, the tango/ wine/ meat in Palermo/ Recoleta/ Puerto Madero routine might not appeal anymore. Luckily, with its rich and extensive cultural development, the city of Buenos Aires has collected thousands of stories behind its massive doors and coloured windows. Practically each and every corner of the capital has memories to be shared and in many cases, it’s the lesser-known barrios that offer more interesting anecdotes than the tourist hubs. Surprisingly, a lot of porteños often also stand to learn more about their neighbours who may only live 20- 30 blocks from them.

With that in mind, María del Carmen Sánchez, an artist and director, is offering a new activity called “La historia en su lugar” (The history in its place) for porteños and tourists in Buenos Aires alike. Supported by the city government, she invited two other artists, Marisé Monteiro and Ileana Ledesma in 2010, to join her in taking real history and wrapping it into short theatre plays. She also selected a group of actors and transformed them into unique city guides whose tours never include phrases like “look to the left, now turn to the right”. These guides have an extended role of a story-teller and a character at the same time.

Every tour proposed by “La historia en su lugar” is authentic and follows the same objective: to show the real history of the barrios through the characters that contributed to its creation. Del Carmen believes that in this way the participants perceive it in a more fun and personalised way. One programme, devoted to the writers of Avenida de Mayo,is consistently interrupted by the writers themselves. First we meet a charming Julio Cortázar who talks to us in a French accent, then we suddenly see Jorge Luis Borges running in La Casa de Cultura on his first day of work.

I felt like I was being sent to previous centuries as the characters were appearing out of nowhere and sharing their personal stories as if they had been talking to their friends of that epoch. An absolute absence of a stage and lights made the past history an actual reality, where everyone was observing the life of famous writers behind the curtains.

Meanwhile, “Los Inmigrantes de La Boca” gathers people in the heart of the barrio (which is not Caminito at all!). Famous for the port that received so many boats full of immigrants during the last two centuries, the community of La Boca was created by the funniest and the saddest stories. The workers and tango dancers of Balvanera sing traditional tangos involving the local people, who end up becoming the most important participants of the play. At times this show feels less like a tour and more like a typical evening soap opera, where all actors are passionate characters who hustle and laugh at the same time.

Having the play outdoors sometimes brings challenges, like adverse weather conditions and concerns over safety. Del Carmen Sánchez remembers that back in 2011 the theatre troupe was in need of security at Plaza Flores. The play called “Flores, barrio de poetas y leyendas” (“Flores, a Neighbourhood of Legends and Poets”) attracted not only the theatre lovers but also some drunk strangers who wanted to interrupt the tour. Luckily, nothing happened thanks to security and the artists could work safely.

When the plays finish, Del Carmen asks a crowd for the short evaluation. Alejandra, an elegant lady in her late 60s, shares that she didn´t miss any play in 2012. The programme, she said, enabled her to turn into a tourist in her proper city, and she claimed to have learned much more from the plays than history books. Other porteños on the tour add their own stories related to the barrios – a bonus for the curious foreigners.

Members of the theatre listen to a woman's opinions after the performance. (Photo: Mariano Gambaccini)

For next year, María del Carmen is planning to go into more barrios and look for more stories. “There is so much to say and show about the city of Buenos Aires,” she confirms.

All plays are free and in Spanish, and the average duration is 40-45 minutes and previous inscription is not required. The tours run during the weekends; they start in February every year and finish in October. Every tour except “Los inmigrantes de la Boca” is run once per month. Most plays start at 3.30pm. The barrios covered include Monserrat, Balvanera, Flores, Barracas, Boedo, Belrano, and La Boca. You can find more information about the project and the dates of every play on the website http://lahistoriaensulugar.com.ar

Fundaco is a foundation that sets up and operates animal clinics in the villas in and around Buenos Aires. Among the services they offer are free vaccinations and castrations for pets, performing as many as 80 procedures a day, while also educating locals about proper care for animals.

Camera & editing: Kristian Anderson

Women expats and helpers who live in Buenos Aires have voluntarily given their time to put together ‘Hola, Buenos Aires!’ e-book for those wishing to relocate to Argentina’s capital city. The ladies are from all over the world and, after experiencing the city first-hand, decided to take an old, spiral-bound city guide that they had found in the University Women’s Club of Buenos Aires, update it and turn it into a modern manual for managing the metropolis.

The first edition of the book was published in 1989 with six or seven contributing women. It was then updated, with the last print edition publishing in 2003. The new e-book is a result of the efforts of 23 contributing ladies, including some who no longer live in Buenos Aires, but helped out with editing and proof-reading.

All proceeds from the US$14.99 cover price of the e-book will go to the Association of Sponsors of Rural Students and Schools (APAER), an Argentine NGO that promotes education in disadvantaged rural schools.

The book covers topics ranging from food, traffic, the ‘how-to’ of everyday life (like paying bills, when stores are open), to coping with culture-shock. The Argentina Independent had the chance to sit down with one of the project’s leaders, Michal Leon, who has been living in BA since October 2009. She is an entrepreneur as well as wife of the South African ambassador to Argentina. Although their time in Buenos Aires was up at the end of September, Michal felt it would be helpful to update the book for those choosing to move to Buenos Aires, helping them to have an easy and accessible guide to help them in the integration process. In a way, the digital version of ‘Hola, Buenos Aires!’ is her legacy in Buenos Aires.

“When you move to a country with someone from that culture, the shock is much softer, but for those who do not have that, this book will help them,” Michal explained.

When it comes to the basics, the book also helps out on letting sojourners know things to expect that you are not expecting, like food. The simpler things, like peanut butter, tomato juice, tomato and bean sauce, just do not exist. Hot sauce is also hard to come by, although some foreigners have taken on the challenge themselves.

There is a section on where to find a screwdriver or how to get your laundry done if you do not have a washing machine, as well as sections that have information for those who are bringing pets, or even legal matters that expand beyond the embassy. There is a chapter for those who are choosing to leave Argentina and how to prepare for that, too.

“The book is meant to prepare people who choose to live in Argentina for a month up to forever,” Michal added.

The book was released online on Monday and costs US$14.99. All proceeds go to APAER. To download the book, visit: www.uwcba.com.ar.