The traditional Christmas bonus given to almost all workers in the Dominican Republic will reach RD$3.2 billion for government employees. This thirteenth salary is completely covered, according to government sources. This year’s Christmas Bonus is approximately RD$400 million more than last year’s. In large part the increased bonus money is the result of salary increases for government workers, rather than an increase in the number of people on the payroll. Government jobs decreased by 36,000 over the past year but municipal jobholders increased by slightly less than 4,000. Generally speaking the thirteenth check is usually 100% spending money for the Christmas holidays. Analysts told the Listin Diario that the lower inflation rates for 2005 would increase the purchasing power of the bonus money, and make buying more attractive.