Labor Minister asks for salary pact

[NewsWhore]

Minister of Labor Max Puig has asked Trade Unions, as represented by the CNUS, and private sector managers to get together and seek an agreement on a general increase in the minimum wage, which he described as 'a legitimate demand'. As reported in El Nuevo Diario, Puig reminded reporters that management has said that there was an agreement on salaries two years ago and by law, discussions can re-start in March 2009, when salaries can be reviewed and increased. Nonetheless, Puig understands that the current exceptional circumstances could lead to an increase in wages, namely the economic crisis and the lower purchasing power of current salaries that is making life so difficult for lower paid workers. For this reason he urged management to meet with labor leaders as soon as possible to find a solution. At the same time, the minister pointed out the need for a solution to this conflict, understanding as he does that the private sector needs a salary increase, as the public sector is enjoying a 15% salary increase made by the government, and the private sector has still not even made an offer to their workers, who really need the money. As part of their pressure to secure higher salaries, representatives of several workers' unions submitted a legislative proposal to the Senate for a law that would establish a 40% wage increase for everyone earning RD$20,000 or less per month, and a 25% increase for those earning more than RD$20,000. The proposal was received by the Senator from Elias Pina, Adriano Sanchez Roa during a meeting in his office. The meeting was attended by representatives of some of the country's main labor organizations including Gabriel del Rio Done of the Autonomous Union Confederation (CASC) and Jacobo Ramos of the Dominican Workers Confederation. Sanchez Roa called the proposal acceptable and appropriate and said that it would be sent for study during next Tuesday's session of the Senate Salaries Commission.

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