Venezuelan Workers' Union Calls Government's $240 Income Hike a 'Salary Scam'

Caracas – The Venezuelan Confederation of Workers (CTV) has vehemently rejected the government's latest attempt to inflate workers' incomes, labeling the announced increase of the minimum integral income to $240 per month as a "salary scam." This move, spearheaded by interim president Delcy Rodríguez, is seen by the CTV not as a genuine improvement but as a calculated maneuver that undermines fundamental labor rights. The confederation’s leadership argues that the government is substituting actual salary increases with non-wage bonuses, a practice that erodes crucial benefits such as social security and severance pay, which are typically calculated based on the base salary. This tactic, the CTV asserts, is a direct violation of Venezuelan labor law and the spirit of the Constitution. The timing of this announcement, following widespread May Day protests demanding real wage improvements, underscores the deep discontent among Venezuelan workers who have seen their purchasing power decimated by years of hyperinflation and misguided economic policies. From our perspective at El Nacional, this government approach prioritizes superficial financial adjustments over substantive, sustainable wage growth, leaving workers in a precarious position. The CTV’s call to uphold Article 91 of the Constitution, which guarantees a minimum wage sufficient for a dignified life, resonates deeply with the struggles faced daily by ordinary Venezuelans. The government's justification, citing fiscal limitations and reliance on oil revenue, rings hollow against the backdrop of persistent economic hardship. This is not merely an economic issue; it is a matter of fundamental rights and dignity for the Venezuelan workforce, whose contributions are essential for any hope of national recovery.

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The Confederation of Workers of Venezuela (CTV) expressed its rejection of the recent announcement by interim president Delcy Rodríguez regarding the increase in the minimum integral income to $240 per month, considering that the measure does not represent a true salary increase and violates fundamental labor rights.