Although the National Council for Work and Wages has not yet met to define the basic salary that will be valid from January 2024, the government predicts that the increase will be 25 dollars again, as in the previous two years, because it was one of the pre-election offers of the current president Guillermo Lassa: raise it to $500 during the four years of his administration.

With the application of death on the cross and the consequent early elections, his mandate was reduced to two and a half years, but the legal deadlines allow him to define the basic salary for the year 2024 in his administration.

Workers are waiting for a consensus with employers so that the basic salary in 2024 would not be determined by the current government or the one elected on October 15.

Government Minister Henry Cucalón confirmed that the administration of Guillermo Lasso will resolve this issue and will not leave it to his successor, newly elected President Daniel Noboa Azín. And that the position of the regime will continue to be a $25 increase.

“The government fulfilled its obligation. Meets its commitment to increase by $25 each year. The last two years it was $25 and $25, and this year it will meet its goal, which is proportional, a new dividend of $25. It cannot be at 500 dollars because it was the fourth year and this Government has an early constitutional and legal exit. This year, which suits us, we will conclude with a proposal that the equivalent amount reach 475 dollars, because this is the Government’s thesis and an election obligation”, commented Cucalón in an interview for this newspaper.

2024 pay rise: Workers propose to match basic pay to vital $550 basket, employers hope calculation is technical

The National Council for Labor and Wages is a body that must define wage increases, and it is made up of representatives of employers and workers, and its new members were renewed at the end of September, and there are no dates for the sessions yet. The regulations state that they must do this by November 20.

The views have already been exposed: the centers gathered in the United Workers’ Front (FUT) have predicted that they will propose that the basic wage in 2024 be equal to the cost of the vital family basket, which is $550, and employers in the sector are expected to make the calculation technical.

The legal time will be enough for the government of Guillermo Lasso to define the basic salary for 2024.

If the consensus of the parties is not reached, the Government through the Ministry of Labor, which also includes the Salary Council, determines the increase.

The change of government is expected next December.