The unions and private sector have grudgingly agreed on a 15% salary increase for workers earning the minimum wage. I say 'grudgingly' because the unions wanted more, the employers less, and the unions also wanted a salary increase to extend to all workers earning under RS$30,000 per month. The National Salaries Commission only has the authority to rule on the minimum wage, however.
One union leader, Rafael Abreu, did not agree with the decision and left the meeting.
Diario Libre Online
http://dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=23659
Although officially this only applies to minimum wage earners - DR1ers resident in the DR - do you plan to increase your employees' wages as a result? Gardeners, maids, drivers, "guachiman" and other low wage earners?
On February 26 2007, DR1 news reported:
Today's Diario Libre says:
Mods - as this could turn into a heated debate about the rights and wrongs of paying local rates, or a contest about who treats their workers better, may I ask that we avoid this by keeping to percentages rather than pesos?
One union leader, Rafael Abreu, did not agree with the decision and left the meeting.
Diario Libre Online
http://dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=23659
Although officially this only applies to minimum wage earners - DR1ers resident in the DR - do you plan to increase your employees' wages as a result? Gardeners, maids, drivers, "guachiman" and other low wage earners?
On February 26 2007, DR1 news reported:
Basic foods up 10.8%
The cost of the basic family food basket has climbed by 10.8% over the last two years, and is currently pegged at RD$18,189.43, Even with the last offer of a 9.30% increase in the minimum wage, the most a minimum wage earner can make in the private sector would be RD$6,996.20 per month. Since 2000, the cost of basic foodstuffs has gone up from RD$7,540 to RD$18,021 in December 2006. According to Central Bank indicators, even with the 30% increase in the minimum wage that workers' unions are requesting, the highest paid minimum wage job holder would only bring home RD$8,320.
Today's Diario Libre says:
A partir de ahora, el salario m?nimo de RD$3,900 pasar? a RD$4,485; el de RD$4,400 ser? de RD$5,060, y el de RD$6,400 subi? a RD$7,360 mensuales.
Mods - as this could turn into a heated debate about the rights and wrongs of paying local rates, or a contest about who treats their workers better, may I ask that we avoid this by keeping to percentages rather than pesos?