NewsWhore
06-04-2007, 06:00 PM
According to figures from the Central Bank, the money earned by the poorest families is not sufficient to cover the cost of basic foodstuffs. Over the last three years, while food prices have risen by 48.8%, salaries have risen by just 40%. Between December 2003 and April this year, the cost of the very basic family food basket went from RD$4,899.82 up to RD$7,292.38. The minimum wage has been increased twice, by 25% and most recently by 15% during this period. However, when this is compared with the national average for families, the food basket is priced at RD$18,538.39 and the gap between the haves and have-nots is enormous. Even the highest-paid minimum wage earners would only have enough for about 40% of the "national basket".
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