A. M. El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, announced this friday a proposal to increase the minimum wage by 12% starting in June. This measure, if approved, would benefit thousands of workers in sectors such as maquila, industry, agriculture, commerce, and services.
According to the president’s social media post, the proposal has already been sent to the Consejo Nacional del Salario Mínimo (CNSM), the entity responsible for analyzing and deciding on wage adjustments. This body is comprised of representatives from workers, employers, and the government, and is convened by the Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsión Social (MTPS).
In the case of the commerce, industry, and services sectors, the current minimum wage of US$365 would increase to US$408.80 with the 12% adjustment. This increase represents a significant improvement for many salvadorans facing rising costs of living and inflation.
This initiative seeks to strengthen the family economy and provide relief to salvadoran workers, who have expressed the need for an increase in their income.
The proposal is now in the hands of the CNSM which must evaluate its feasibility before it goes into effect in june. If approved, it would be the second increase promoted during Bukele’s administration, following the 2021 adjustment.
