BRIEFS. Labor

Group opposes minimum wage adjustments

The Frente Nacional de Defensa de los Derechos Económicos y Sociales (FRENADESO) criticized the recent minimum wage increase, describing it as "ludicrous" and not enough to compensate the higher cost of the basic food basket in 2007, which rose by 15 percent.

A bulletin from FRENADESO said the 12- to 19-cent hourly increase in the minimum wage adopted by the government is an insult to the working class.

"The Consejo Nacional de Trabajadores responds to employers’ interests, and this increase does not compensate for losses due to inflation," the organization said.