Elena Viyella de Paliza, the president of the National Business Council (CONEP) and Ignacio Mendez, the former president of the Federation of Industrial Associations, concurred in that discussions regarding wage increases should be carried out by the National Committee of Salaries (CNS), reports El Caribe newspaper. Union representatives say that the CNS is only legally able to discuss revisions to the minimum wage. The unions, however, want an across-the-board wage hike. They say accumulated inflation over the past year and a half stands at 60%, which should be reflected in workers? pay. Rafael Abreu, of the Consejo Nacional de Unidad Sindical, said they have sent Congress a request for a 60% general wage increase to be effective as of 1 January 2005.
Those speaking for the business community, however, say the scope of problems affecting the country call for prudence and responsibility when discussing wage increases.
During his Presidential campaign, Hipolito Mejia had promised to increase wages by 30% once the tax reforms were implemented and by another 30% six months from then.