The Fernandez administration says it has plans for scaled wage increases for those public employees making less than RD$20,000 a month, as reported in Diario Libre. An initial raise of 15% would go into effect January 2005 and again in the middle of the year. The increases are included in the 2005 National Budget currently being prepared. Officials of the National Planning Office say they have met with the commission of deputies studying the overall wage increase.
While the Senate has approved a 30% minimum wage increase as of January, the business sector would rather that this matter be discussed in the proper forum, the National Wage Commission of the Labor Ministry.
The Chamber of Deputies is scheduled to hold a public hearing today where various proposals regarding the wage increase will be presented.