The measures were announced by President Lacalle Pou after a meeting in the Executive Tower with the Ministers of Economy, Azucena Arbeleche, of Labor, Pablo Mieres, and the director of the OPP, Isaac Alfie.
“This proposal goes directly to the problem, it is a tool to alleviate the loss of purchasing power,” stressed the president, who also announced that he is working on the price issue.
Lacalle Pou reviewed the last two years of government and recalled that in the midst of the pandemic, the “engines on” of the economy, the support granted in terms of credit, exemptions, and special unemployment insurance were maintained. He also noted that jobs are recovering and significant economic growth has taken place. “All of this is what allows us today to take these measures and suggest other actions,” he stressed.
In that sense, he said that tomorrow the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS) will convene the Superior Tripartite Council so that the 88 negotiating tables that involve some 300,000 workers evaluate the possibility of advancing the adjustment for inflation to private parties.
Regarding the defined increases of 3% for retirees and 2% for public employees, he said that they will be granted as of July 1. “It’s about looking for the best tools so as not to lose purchasing power,” she said.
According to the president, among the increases already granted to pensions and public salaries, it exceeded 9%, a figure that “in principle” would be above the expected annual inflation. “This tool is what ensures us to put more money in the pockets of Uruguayans and not lose purchasing power,” he assured.
On the subject of prices, Lacalle Pou said that there are other related elements that are being worked on, and, in this regard, he added that the Ministry of Social Development is analyzing some measures that may be made public next week.
