BUENOS AIRES, Aug 27 Reuters Argentina39;s economy ministry on Sunday announced a series of benefits for workers and pensioners intended to soften the blow of a severe economic crisis which has seen inflation spiral and the government devalue the country39;s currency.

The government will give nearly 7.5 million pensioners a package of 37,000 pesos around 105 at the current official exchange rate over the next three months, Economy Minister Sergio Massa said in part of a series of messages on his Instagram account.

Massa, who is also the ruling party39;s presidential candidate for the Oct. 22 elections, will face ultralibertarian outsider Javier Milei whose support from disillusioned voters propelled him to victory in a primary vote this month.

Massa said workers will receive 400 billion pesos in loans, while selfemployed workers will be offered six months of tax relief and those on food benefits will receive additional stipends.

He also announced a suspension of export taxes for some industrialized regional goods such as wine, rice and tobacco, as well as funding for fertilizers to help farmers whose last harvest suffered from a historic drought.

The government, helped by bank financing, will also offer 770 million in funding to help boost export sales and companies have been ordered to provide bonuses to some 5.5 million workers who earn below 400,000 pesos per month, Massa said, equivalent to 1,140 at the official rate but roughly 500 at the informal parallel…