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Michelle Bachelet is the president of Chile, the first woman to hold the office. Elected in December 2005, she was inaugurated on 11 March 2006. Her election & the challenges that face her administration are discussed by Arturo Valenzuela & Lucia Dammert in this issue (pp. 65-79). Excerpts from her inaugural address appear below. Adapted from the source document.

This report analyzes the implications of recent developments in Chile's labor market and social policy and considers the available policy options from the perspective of OECD countries' experience. The report finds that Chile has experienced rising living standards over two decades of strong economic growth. The incidence of poverty is now much lower and there is better access to adequate housing, education and healthcare. Nevertheless, Chile's income distribution remains disturbingly unequal by OECD standards. This is partly due to a relatively low employment rate, especially for women, but it also reflects a segmented labor market, where much of the recent job creation has occurred in relatively low-productive sectors. Moreover, despite the existence of an internationally renowned pension program, Chile's social protection system as a whole has still a relatively long way to go before reaching the standards of developed countries in terms of effective coverage and capacity to assist needy households. Chilean policy makers have begun to develop and implement a series of ambitious reforms, intended to promote the twin goals of work and equity.--Publisher's description

Since 2004, class actions have been permitted for consumer claims. Claims may be brought by the National Consumer Service, which may intervene in any claim brought by groups of individuals and associations. The rule is opt in. [Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications Inc., copyright The American Academy of Political and Social Science.]