Prensalibre.com reports: "The companies are not allow to increase the minimum salary of their workers," lamented Alejandro Ceballos, president of the Garment and Textiles Commission (Vestex).

"We hope that it can finally become law by 2010, as we know that President Alvaro Colom has given his approval for this solution," he added.

Source: prensalibre.com

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The 30% contraction in exports during the month of January affected the workforce directly with a reduction of 18,000 jobs.

Alejandro Ceballos, President of the Garment and Textiles Commission (Vestex) informed Prensalibre.com: "In five years, we have lost 60,000 jobs.

60% increase in minimum wages in Honduras

January 2009

Businessmen point to negative effects due to the measure, such as the loss of competitiveness because of cheaper labor in neighboring countries such as El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala.

According to elsalvador.com, "workers who earn 3,400 lempiras (some $170) will now earn 5,500 lempiras (some $300).