In a press conference called yesterday at the Hotel Jaragua, the
former President Leonel Fern?ndez opposes signing an accord with the International Monetary Fund and says that such an agreement would only be justifiable for a country with problems in its balance of payment ? which is not the case for the Dominican Republic. According to Fern?ndez, the country reported a surplus in its current account for the first quarter of the year. He said actions to be taken should be first debated, as he reiterated his call for high-level national talks. The country needs to be above Leonel Fern?ndez or Hip?lito Mej?a, he said, and it is for this reason that he insists on a summit of leaders.
Furthermore, Fern?ndez accused President Hip?lito Mej?a of not having understood the progressive deterioration of the Dominican Republic?s economy, something that could lead to social uprisings.
Supporters of the IMF agreement argue that it will restore confidence, as it will require the government to meet its commitments for a reduction in government spending.
During the conference, Fern?ndez also denied having been an ?advisor? for Baninter as President Hip?lito Mej?a said recently.
Government payroll is in the news
Eduardo The National Council of Business (CONEP) released a statement that strongly criticized the government?s hiring policies. Putting it nicely, CONEP expressed its ?worry? over the number of people added to the official payroll since January, especially in light of the Pact for Economic Development and Sustainability that was signed only last December, and by which the government committed itself to reduce the public payroll to the levels of its first year. When this objective was not met, the government created a commission to that end.
The statement is included in a CONEP document that was presented to the President with recommendations made by the commission for reducing the excessive expenditures on government staffing. CONEP is a participant in the National Commission for the Regulating Public Administration Personnel.
El Caribe reports that statistics from the National Budget Office (ONAPRES) and the Ministry of Finance show a 25% increase in the national payroll since January. Government data show that there was an increased spending of RD$414.2 million in March, compared to January of this same year.
Excessive spending on payroll, primarily for the contracting of presidential inspectors and assistants at monthly wages of more than RD$25,000, and with perks such as SUVs, is frequently mentioned as one of the reasons for budgetary deficits and macroeconomic problems affecting the nation today.