Peruvian President Dina Boluarte announced on November 25, 2023, salary increases for nurses, midwives, and higher education teachers, effective December 2023. The government will invest approximately 300 million soles to implement these salary increases.
“I am pleased to announce a fourth-tier increase for nurses and midwives. This increase will take effect in December and will benefit 140,000 workers,” she said during her participation in the “Let’s act NOW! Let’s save girls from sexual violence” campaign.
While the government has taken these measures for state workers, much of the population expects similar measures to be announced regarding an increase in the minimum wage.
WHAT DID CONGRESS SAY ABOUT THE INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE?
The Congress of the Republic proposed a law aiming to modify Peru’s Minimum Vital Remuneration. According to the proposal, the minimum wage would increase to S/ 1,545. If approved, the increase would be S/ 520 soles to the current Peruvian salary (S/ 1,025).
The Minister of Labor, Daniel Maurate, reinforced his previous statements, emphasizing that the salary increase could occur in the second half of the year, as long as the economy continues to recover as projected or even better. Additionally, Maurate denied that the minimum wage would be increased to S/ 1,545 as indicated by the congressional proposal, stating that any increase would require an agreement between workers and employers.
Finally, the head of the MTPE revealed that a sharp increase in wages could increase informal employment in Peru and that the proposal would need to be analyzed technically and thoroughly rather than driven by political interests.
THIS IS WHAT THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMY SAID ABOUT THE INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE
According to the Minister of Economy and Finance, José Arista, the issue of an increase could be discussed once economic indicators, such as the PBI, improve. “This is not the time to discuss raising the minimum wage. We hope that the economy will gain momentum in this semester and in the second semester, once it is consolidated, it will be a topic of discussion about the increase.“, he reiterated during a conversation with RPP.
Minister of Labor and Ombudsman speak out on the increase in the minimum wage
Regarding the announcement of the salary increase in Peru for 2024, the Minister of Labor, Daniel Maurate, indicated at the beginning of 2024 that the measure is a presidential promise that was sought to be evaluated this year, in which a more favorable outlook is presented than the previous one (the confirmation of an economic recession that the country was going through), plus the remnants of the impact of the El Niño phenomenon and the social protests against the current government. Likewise, the minister added that meetings have been held.
These statements were followed by new pronouncements in which the Ombudsman, Josué Gutierrez, declared that the evaluation of salary increases is of vital importance in a context of inflation and loss of purchasing power in which salaries become insufficient to cover basic expenses.
A few days later, Maurate made another statement on the matter, agreeing with what Gutierrez had said. The head of the Ministry of Labor pointed out that the salary increase must respond to the objectives of stopping or reducing unemployment and informal employment in Peru and not based on political or populist motivations. Finally, he emphasized that it is necessary to overcome the recession and strengthen the Peruvian economy in order to announce an increase in living wages.
Government makes official the salary increase for health professionals
The government made official the increase in the salaries of health professionals, which will be effective from this December, as established by the Supreme Decree No. 271-2023-EF. This was after the unions in the sector agreed to an indefinite strike and stated that they would not suspend it until the publication of the aforementioned regulation.
“In the coming days, after the publication of the 2024 budget law recently approved in the Congress of the Republic, another supreme decree will be published authorizing the disbursement of the pending salary differential for the group of health professionals,” the Ministry of Health stated in an official statement.
By how much would the minimum wage increase in Peru?
The basic salary under the payroll is currently 1,025 soles. Although President Dina Boluarte announced a change in the salary measure, she has not given further details on the amount, only that she will try to establish a consensus between the parties involved for the benefit of the Peruvian people.
How much is the minimum wage in Peru currently?
When was the last pay raise given?
The last change in the salary measure occurred in May 2022, during the government of Pedro Castillo. As announced during the former president’s term, Decree No. 03-2022-TR established an increase of 95 soles in the RMV (Minimum Vital Remuneration). Subsequently, the amount of the minimum wage rose from a basic 930 soles to 1,025 soles.
Peru’s Minimum Wage: A Look at the Current Situation and Potential Increases
The President of Peru, Dina Boluarte, announced on November 25, 2023 the increase of salary for nurses and midwives, as well as for higher education teachers starting in December of last year. The Head of State indicated that approximately 300 million soles will be invested to implement the announced salary increases.
“It is with great satisfaction that I announce that a fourth-tier increase will be given to nurses and midwives. This increase will take effect in December and will benefit 140,000 workers.”she said during her participation in the campaign “Let’s act NOW! Let’s save girls from sexual violence.”
Although the Government has taken these measures with regard to state workers, most of the population expects similar measures to be announced with the increase in the minimum wage.
WHAT DID CONGRESS SAY ABOUT THE INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE?
The Congress of the Republic proposed a law that aims to modify the Minimum Vital Remuneration of Peru. According to what was indicated, it would increase to the sum of S/ 1 545If approved, the increase would be S/ 520 soles to the current Peruvian salary (S/ 1,025).
The Minister of Labor, Daniel Maurate, reinforced his previous statements, emphasizing that the salary increase could occur in the second half of the year, as long as the economy continues to recover as indicated by the projections or even better. In addition, Maurate denied that the minimum wage will be increased to S/ 1,545 as indicated by the congressional proposal, since; if it were to occur, it would have to be done through an agreement between workers and employers.
Finally, the head of the MTPE revealed that a sharp increase in wages could increase informal employment in Peru and that the proposal would have to be analyzed technically and thoroughly and not respond to political interests.
THIS IS WHAT THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMY SAID ABOUT THE INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE
According to the Minister of Economy and Finance, José Arista, the issue of increase could be discussed once the economic indicators, such as the PBIimprove. “This is not the time to discuss raising the minimum wage. We hope that the economy will gain momentum in this semester and in the second semester, once it is consolidated, it will be a topic of discussion about the increase.“, he reiterated in dialogue with RPP.
Minister of Labor and Ombudsman speak out on the increase in the minimum wage
Regarding the announcement of the salary increase in Peru for 2024, the Minister of Labor, Daniel Maurate, indicated at the beginning of 2024 that the measure is a presidential promise that was sought to be evaluated this year, in which a more favorable outlook is presented than the previous one (the confirmation of an economic recession that the country was going through) plus the remnants of the impact of the El Niño phenomenon and the social protests against the current government. Likewise, the minister added that meetings have been held.
These statements were followed by new pronouncements in which the Ombudsman, Josué Gutierrez, declared that the evaluation of salary increases is of vital importance in a context of inflation and loss of purchasing power in which salaries become insufficient to cover basic expenses.
A few days later, Maurate made another statement on the matter, agreeing with what Gutierrez had said. The head of the Ministry of Labor pointed out that the salary increase must respond to the objectives of stopping or reducing unemployment and informal employment in Peru and not based on political or populist motivations. Finally, he emphasized that it is necessary to overcome the recession and strengthen the Peruvian economy in order to announce an increase in living wages.
Government makes official the salary increase for health professionals
The government made official the increase in the salaries of health professionals, which will be effective from this December, as established by the Supreme Decree No. 271-2023-EFThis was after the unions in the sector agreed to an indefinite strike and stated that they would not suspend it until the publication of the aforementioned regulation.
“In the coming days, after the publication of the 2024 budget law recently approved in the Congress of the Republic, another supreme decree will be published authorizing the disbursement of the pending salary differential for the group of health professionals”the Ministry of Health stated in an official statement.
By how much would the minimum wage increase in Peru?
The basic salary under the payroll is currently 1,025 soles.although President Dina Boluarte announced a change in the salary measure, she has not given further details of the amount, only that she will try to establish a consensus between the parties involved for the benefit of the Peruvian people.
How much is the minimum wage in Peru currently?
When was the last pay raise given?
The last change in the salary measure occurred in May 2022, during the government of Pedro Castillo. According to what was announced during the former president’s mandate, the Decree No. 03-2022-TR which established an increase of 95 soles in the RMV (Minimum Vital Remuneration). Thus, the amount of the minimum wage rose from a basic 930 soles to 1,025 soles.
| Year | Minimum Wage (Soles) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,025 |
| 2023 | 1,025 |
| 2024 | To be determined |