Early 1921

One of the first actions of the Alessandri government was to pass laws preserving the nitrate industry. The industry, which is the backbone of the Chilean economy - el sueldo Chileno, "the Chilean salary" - collapsed hard after the end of the war. The discovery of processes of nitrate synthesis in Germany will spell the doom of the industry regardless, but passing these relief measures will allow the government to live off the nitrate taxes for a few years longer.

To finance what, you may ask?

The government has presented a set of bills, forming the core of its social programe. These provisions create various institutions providing relief to workers, and create frameworks for union arbitration.

More precisely, the laws provide:
- 8 hour workday, 48 hour workweek
- A minimum wage
- Accident insurance; invalid and old-age pensions through a Caja de Seguro Obrero
- Maternal leave
- Right to form unions within medium-sized workplaces
- Establishment of Tribunal of Arbitration for labour disputes
- Right to strike if the Tribunal of Arbitration fails to resolve a dispute after a certain period

This project forms the core of Alessandri's social ambitions. Were it passed, Alessandri would be emboldened to expand on these measures and enact the entirety of his programme. However, it is unlikely to pass through the Chamber of Deputies, despite the Liberal majority; it is even less likely to pass through the senate. Observers believe Alessandri is deliberately presenting this radical package to energise his base in view of the Parliamentary elections later this year.