CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez raised Saturday the minimum wage in 32,25 per cent, six months after presidential elections in which seeks to be re-elected for a new term.
The military retired 57-year-old 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 confront the electoral campaign in the face of the October 7 elections.
“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.
(Edited by Patricio Abusleme)
