The guild assures that in addition to the 500,000 direct jobs that could be lost, if the proposal is approved, nearly 1 million indirect jobs would also be put at risk. See "Minimum wage should not be increased for agricultural sector, say businessmen."

In this regard, exporters consider that the wage increase is much more than a number. It has serious social consequences for most Guatemalans who do not have a formal job and total more than 5 million.

From the Agexport statement:

A serious, inclusive discussion according to the current situation of the country on the minimum wage is urgently needed.

Given the new discussions on the minimum wage, AGEXPORT evaluates that the country urgently needs a policy of wage increase with technical bases, very solid and not political.

Exporters believe that the wage increase is much more than a number. It has serious social consequences for most Guatemalans who do not have a formal job and total more than 5 million. An increase without an inclusive analysis means that employment is not formalized, and what is worse, formal employment becomes informal and in general, there is no reply to the need for decent work in the country.

Read full statement.

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In mid-September, the National Salary Commission (CNS) should receive the proposals from the different sectors of the workers, so that they can then be considered in the final decision.