The List?n Diario reports that during the first five months of the year, disbursements for government wages exceeded their budgeted amount by RD$700 million. Reporter Edwin Ruiz says in the economic section that, if this trend continues, such spending would surpass the 2003 National Budget?s allotment by RD$1.8 billion. The newspaper says that the government payroll was originally calculated at RD$10 billion, but the amounts for January and February did not include the so-named ?nominilla?, or parallel payroll, paid out by the individual government departments.
President Hip?lito Mej?a, who seeks to be re-elected in May 2004, has said there will be no firing of government workers.