Venezuela's business sector rejects CTV call for 30% pay hike

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Tuesday, April 01, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

Business leaders and government officials have joined together in criticizing the Confederation of Trade Unions' (CTV) call for a 30% pay rise made just days after the creation of a new trade union grouping aimed at replacing the CTV.

The creation of the Venezuelan National Workers Union (UNTV) was announced by President Hugo Chavez Frias during his weekly "Alo Presidente" radio show on Sunday and the government now expects may of the unions that the CTV represents to join the new grouping which it claims will be politically independent.

CTV secretary general Manuel Cova had called on the government to increase the minimum wage by by Bs.60,000 per month to Bs.250,000 due to the drop in consumer purchasing power.

Industrial Advisory Council (Consecomercio) president Julio Brazon labeled the call "extremely irresponsible" particularly in light of the current economic situation and the lack of foreign currencies to the vast majority of Venezuelan businesses.