By unanimous agreement, representatives of government, employers and workers set the current minimum wage increase for 2013 at 5%.
S21.com.gt reported that "... the minimum wage increase for next year has been set at, Q3.40 for agriculture and non-agriculture and factories for export at Q3.13."
This means that the wage for agricultural and non agricultural workers which is Q68 per day, will rise to Q71.40 per day in 2013, making Q2, 427.70 per month, and for the maquila export sector which is Q62 50 it will rise to Q65.63, making Q2, 251.56 per month, plus a monthly bonus of Q250.
The business sector proposes an increase of 2%, while employee representatives are asking for 47%.
The current minimum wage is Q62, 5 ($7.95) per day, for the export and maquila sectors and Q65 ($8.27) per day for agricultural and nonagricultural sectors.
The final debate is scheduled for tomorrow, December 7 and if a consensus can not reached, the President will make the final decision.
Textiles and clothing, among other sectors, would benefit most if the proposed increase is approved by the Commission on Salaries
The Joint Commission on Salaries (CPS) has proposed a 5% increase to the minimum wage, which could begin to take effect next year.
Although the increase must be authorized by the Salaries Commission, industry representatives believe that is a measure that will at least offset the projected increase for inflation, which is also 5%.