El Caribe newspaper highlights that during the first seven months of the year, the government of Hipolito Mejia has spent 23.7% more than the Fernandez administration did during the same period last year. El Caribe points out that the money was allotted to meet current expenditures and the payment of the foreign debt, including short term borrowing during the past administration. Investments and capital investments declined 8.6% during this period, while government payroll expenditures were up 16.2%. Central Bank statistics show that public employees increased from 329,383 in 2000 to 352,753 for the first seven months of 2001, or a 6.9% increase. The government also authorized a 10% increase in public wages. New posts were created as follows: Ministry of Education: 7,055 more employees (including professors) Ministry of the Armed Forces (primarily in the National Army): 6,072 military Ministry of Interior and Police: 1,575 new employees Ministry of Sports: 1,224 new employees Judicial Branch: 1,161 new employees Ministry of Public Health: 1,144 more employees The Mejia administration also had to staff newly-created departments (Youth, Women, Culture and Environment).
