The government proposal falls below demands of workers and moderate politicians.
Labor Minister Evelyn Matthei proposed increasing the minimum wage by five percent to 191,000 Chilean pesos (US$382) per month, a figure she presented to the National Congress on Tuesday.
This number comes as a disappointment to many, such as the center-right National Renewal Party (RN), which has called for the minimum to be raised to 200,000 pesos per month (US$400), and the United Confederation of Workers (CUT), which has called for the minimum wage to be increased to 250,000 pesos per month (US$500). Government spokesperson Andrés Chadwick said the government’s number was selected in order to protect employment.
“We have to know how to combine a higher minimum wage with the necessity of protecting employment, which is a fundamental objective of this administration,” Chadwick said. “It may be easier to receive false applause today, but we would pay tomorrow with unemployment and low growth, which is going to hurt the most vulnerable people.”
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Labor Minister Evelyn Matthei proposed increasing the minimum wage by five percent to 191,000 Chilean pesos (US$382) per month, a figure she presented to the National Congress on Tuesday.
This number comes as a disappointment to many, such as the center-right National Renewal Party (RN), which has called for the minimum to be raised to 200,000 pesos per month (US$400), and the United Confederation of Workers (CUT), which has called for the minimum wage to be increased to 250,000 pesos per month (US$500). Government spokesperson Andrés Chadwick said the government’s number was selected in order to protect employment. “We have to know how to combine a higher minimum wage with the necessity of protecting employment, which is a fundamental objective of this administration,” Chadwick said. “It may be easier to receive false applause today, but we would pay tomorrow with unemployment and low growth, which is going to hurt the most vulnerable people.”
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About the writer
David Pedigo
Shortly after graduating from Beloit College in 2011, David booked a flight to Chile and found a passion for journalism at The Santiago Times. Outside the Times, David has been published by organizations such as the World Policy Institute and the Midwest Journal for Undergraduate Research. He likes to keep up to date on current events around the world, and has a particular interest in the Americas.
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