SANTO DOMINGO. - Amid the population’s expectations on President Leonel Fernandez’s address to the nation in next the few days, to announce measures to mitigate the crisis in the country, the calls for a general wage increase grow.

Several sectors have stated their preference to raise salaries, arguenig that the current inflation “blankets” what a large part of the population earns.

Despite the consensus for a salary increase in Congress, the National Wage Committee (CNS) cannot debate it if a proposal isn’t submitted from either business or workers, said CNS president Gloria Henríquez. She said once one of the parts notifies an interest in discussing an increase in the minimum wage, she’ll immediately summon the other part.

The official said although the law stipulates that the wage increase must be revised every two years, it also indicates this rule can be voided in certain periods, such as the country’s current one.

On the topic, Chamber of Deputies president Julio Cesar Valentin yesterday said the country’s economic conditions forces a revision for a wage increase on the part of the Government and the private sector.

The legislator said he awaits any proposal on the matter on the part of President Fernandez, which the lawmakers will approve. “There’s a sincere interest in the Government to solve that of an increase, for which we seek a mechanism to do the wage increase, through the Hacienda Ministry and its technicians.”