The Chamber of Deputies yesterday approved the second reading of the bill that would increase the wages of public employees by 30% and bring the minimum wage on the government payroll to RD$4,000 per month. While the wage increase in the private sector will benefit only those who earn less than RD$20,000 a month, the legislators announced that government employees earning monthly salaries of up to RD$90,000 would also get an increase. By raising the ceiling to RD$90,000, the legislators ensured their own wage increase. The legislators make well beyond that amount, especially when factoring in their perks, such as the right to two tax-exempt vehicles.
The new wage scale will also benefit 80,666 retired government employees, for whom a minimum monthly payment of RD$3,000 was established. According to the legislation, the 30% pay rise will be given in two parts: an initial 20% effective January 2005 and another 10% effective as of June 2005. The bill will also index the wages of public sector employees to the Consumer Price Index published by the Central Bank.