Diario Libre devotes a full page to an analysis of the abysmal state of Dominican household economics. The “canasta familiar,” or the amount of money needed to buy the most basic household products each month, is now calculated at RD$5,380. In 1999, the family basket was worth about half that amount at RD$2,528. If inflation were directly linked to the US dollar rate, the family basket would now be worth RD$8,970. The newspaper goes on to analyze the salary levels of low-salaried workers, who make up the large majority of the Dominican workforce. Minimum wage levels vary depending on sector, ranging from RD$2,616 for a public sector employee to RD$4,920 for an employee in a large private sector company. Although wages have risen, in real terms they are worth much less than three years ago. The article takes as its example the free trade zone factory worker who earns RD$3,561 per month. These days it is worth US$83.79. In 2001 the same worker would have received RD$2,490 each month, which would have converted to US$140 at the corresponding exchange rate. Taking into account the fall in the peso’s purchasing power, estimated at 45%, the newspaper calculates that minimum wage needs to increase to RD$6,540 for a worker to be able to afford the same things as three years ago.