With businesses opposed to the raise, the Labour Ministry has confirmed an increase of between 5.5% and 8% in the different categories of minimum wage.
The minimum wage for 2016 has been set as per the agreements of the tripartite commission agreed, even though the private sector has called for a review to take into account inflation.
The demand for professionals who can speak and write English rose by 70%, keeping pace with the growth of joint ventures with overseas companies.
That was the explanation given Bessy Rocio Lara, director of the Department of Labor. Among the areas where the most bilingual staff are needed are the industrial engineering sector, business administration and some technical careers.