Minimum Wage Hike Hot News in Cuba
Over 1 650 00 Cubans have gone to work on Friday encouraged by the new minimum wage increase measure announced Thursday by Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

The measure, that will go into effect as of May Day, has been welcomed on the entire Island and almost everyone is taking about it.

The Cuban leader said the measure will take place in May and low-wage workers currently making 100 Cuban pesos a month will earn 225 pesos.

The minimum wage for many Cuban workers will be 225 pesos starting in May and at least 1 657 191 workers will benefit from additional payments.

Castro confirmed the country will maintain payment incentive projects for working results as well as the mechanisms created within the enterprise perfection process in several Cuban institutions.

The minimum wage increase will favor agriculture workers, operators of light equipment in agriculture, aides in educational centers and hospitals, among others. Fidel Castro said that the average salary will vary from 282 to 312 pesos.

The president had previously announced the increase of pensions for citizens receiving welfare, also to take effect in May. He said the initiatives will represent for the state the outlay of 2,255 million pesos more every year with an average monthly increase of 52 pesos per person.