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In 2023, several countries in Latin America, including the United States, decided to implement a significant increase in the minimum wage due to the high expenses that families have been making for the purchase of basic necessities. In Venezuela, the population and workers have been demanding an increase from the 130 bolivars, which is currently the minimum wage in the country, as it is not enough to support themselves. In the following article, we will tell you all the details.
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What does Nicolás Maduro say about the salary increase?
Due to the protests, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro called on workers nationwide to take to the streets to protest against the sanctions imposed by the United States. Additionally, he wrote on Twitter: "We will always defend the comprehensive salary of the workers of Venezuela. We will find the resources to continue investing in health, education, and housing."
However, Nicolás Maduro has not directly addressed the increase in the minimum wage for public workers and teachers who continue to protest.
What are Venezuelan workers demanding?
Venezuelans who work daily are demanding a series of improvements in their salaries. Now, labor unions will enter into dialogue under the auspices of the International Labour Organization (ILO), demanding a minimum wage between 200 and 400 dollars to cover the basic basket.
According to information and data from the Documentation and Social Analysis Center of the Teachers' Federation (Cendas), it is known that a Venezuelan family of five people needs - until December of last year - an average of 63.24 current minimum wages, around 400 dollars at the current exchange rate of 20.52 bolivars per dollar, to cover the basic basket.
"Workers demand salaries and pensions indexed to the cost of the basic basket. We will not accept the agreement between Fedecamaras and the government that violates our rights to have a decent salary," said Ana Rosario Contreras, spokesperson for the Nursing College in the Capital District.
What would be the new minimum wage in Venezuela?
Although the president of the Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Production (Fedecámaras), Carlos Fernández, stated that the increase in the minimum wage is still a subject of debate, it would reach 50 dollars per month.
During a radio interview, Fernández pointed out that it will depend a lot on what scheme is allowed for the private and public sectors to make remuneration effective. He also indicated that a different approach must be sought for the country's problems and "stop addressing the issue with monetary policies, but with stimulus policies in supply and demand."