CARACAS (Reuters) – the President of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, Saturday raised the minimum wage by 32,25 per cent, six months before the presidential election in which seeks to be re-elected for a new term.
The 57-year-old retired military, announced the increase moments before traveling to Cuba to receive the third cycle of radiotherapy for cancer suffering from and which makes doubt his physical ability to make front wing electoral campaign for the elections of October 7.
“Would like to make an announcement before departing (…)” for Cuba. “From 1 may will do an increase in total will be 32,25 per cent of the minimum wage”, said Chavez in a meeting with Ministers in chain of radio and television.
The ruler explained that it will increase 15 percent to May 1 and 15 per cent additional effective September 1.
“One said 30 per cent, but actually will give 32,25 per cent net increase,” he added.
The increase is higher than the inflation target for this year, which is between 20 and 22 percent.
Following the announcement, the Representative undertook a trip to Cuba, which has undergone three surgeries since that was discovered in June last year a cancerous tumor the size of a baseball in the pelvic area.
On Thursday, in a Eucharist for his health, Chavez begged Jesus to allow him to live and cried.
