In Venezuela, the interim government of Delcy Rodríguez will raise workers’ wages. In the country, the economy has collapsed over the past ten years, marked by an extreme inflation of 600 % on the last 12 months. The announcement of this wage increase was made on April 8 in a televised address by the interim president.
In her speech broadcast on state television, President Delcy Rodríguez did not provide a precise figure but spoke of a “responsible” increase to be applied on May 1. In Venezuela, the minimum wage is 130 bolivars, frozen since 2022. According to the exchange rate, which fluctuates daily, that amounts to 27 cents.
Workers in the country can nevertheless earn much more thanks to bonuses and other payments added to salaries. It is through this means that the president should improve remuneration, but there are no details on this yet.
The interim president, in power since the kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro by the United States on January 3, stated that the “mistakes” of the past must be “corrected.” Today, thanks to the bonuses, salaries can reach up to $150 per month, depending on the pay scale, but this is still insufficient to cover needs.
Furthermore, the basic food basket for a household of 5 people costs $645. For several weeks, unions and workers have been complaining about poverty-level wages. Several groups have called for a demonstration that is due to take place today in Caracas.
Delcy Rodríguez leads under the pressure of United States President Donald Trump, who has stated that he is in charge of the country and of the sale of its oil.
