Bengoa defends pay raises

[NewsWhore]

Hacienda Minister Vicente Bengoa is defending the pay increases announced for employees at the Ministry of Environment (SEMARENA). The new income levels are now comparable to other ministries. Environment Minister Jaime David Fernandez will now receive RD$200,000 a month, up from RD$85,000, and his deputy ministers will each go from RD$60,000 to RD$175,000. The main ministry officials will also enjoy perks like assigned vehicles, cell phones and fuel allowances. Bengoa, quoted in Hoy, justified the raises by saying that any wage increase to keep qualified professionals is justified. He added that it was the only way for the government to ensure it could keep technical personnel working in a sector of such key importance.

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