2019News

National Salaries Committee meets, no agreements

D Dolores Vicioso
Posted onMar 26, 2019 at 10:12 AM
Updated onUpdated on Mar 28, 2019 at 9:52 AM
Photo: Diario Libre

On Monday 25 March, 2019, the National Salaries Committee (CNS) that brings together representatives of the employees, employers and government, met to analyze and seek consensus about what percentage and under what conditions minimum salaries should be increased in the private sector. No agreements were reached.

Employers are demanding a reclassification of business prior to any increase and the approval of different minimum wage conditions for small business.

In 2007, the Ministry of Labor showed that the highest minimum salary in the Dominican Republic was RD$7,360; by 2017 it was RD$15,447.60, which is over double.

However, the average cost of the consumer basket of goods has also increased and studies show the minimum wage does not cover this.

According to data from the Central Bank, in 2011, the average cost of the consumer basket of goods was RD$25,214.30; by February 2019 it was RD$30,394.75.

Over the years, minimum salaries have increased by 14% to 20% every two years.

Read more in Spanish:
Diario Libre

26 March 2019