DILI, july 04, 2022 (TATOLI) – The member of the National parliament, of the Democratic Party (DP), Mariano Asanami Sabino says it is time to raise the minimum wage for workers to $250 or $300 from $115.
“The state’s minimum wage is $115, which is not enough to cover all needs as prices of basic commodities have increased,” Asanami commented during the plenary session.
According to Assanami, $115 is very difficult to spend on daily needs, saying the Government should immediately set a law for minimum wages to be implemented by companies, and companies should pay workers $250 or $300 per month.
At the same place, Fretilin’s deputy David Dias Ximenes also agreed with the DP’s political statement by increasing the minimum wage from $115 to $250 or $300.
“It is time to raise wages for workers,” he said.
The minimum wage is implemented based on laws set by the Government, to control the payments made by companies to workers.
“The eighth Constitutional Government has promised to set a law on minimum wages to be implemented in Timor – Leste but unfortunately the law has not been set by the Government to date,”
Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs (MCAE), Jaogim Amaral, informed that to raise the minimum wage for workers, the first thing to do is to increase domestic products to avoid inflation inside the country.
“To reduce inflation, the first thing to do is to increase domestic products, to keep the money circulating in the country. This strategy will help us reduce economic inflation in Timor-Leste,”
Amaral also stressed that the issue of the minimum wage of workers can be addressed after the domestic product is optimized, saying, therefore, the MCAE and the relevant ministries have made efforts to reduce economic inflation in Timor – Leste and are also committed to increasing the minimum wage in Timor – Leste.
Journalist : Camilio de Sousa
Editor : Nelia B.
