VENEZUELA: TEACHERS MARCH FOR BETTER WAGES

AT LEAST IN SIX VENEZUELAN CITIES

In demand of better wages, at least in six Venezuelan cities teachers, retiree’s and workers have marched as the President Nicolas Maduro’s government faces renewed challenges in its attempt to fight inflation.

In the absence of the Venezuela’s official data, according to a non-governmental group of economists who calculate indicators, Venezuela’s inflation last year is estimated to have reached 305 percent.

Since March last year, salaries of public-sector employees has not adjusted by the government, to reduce part of efforts spending and increase taxes which eventually allowed Venezuela to emerge hyperinflation.

Demand for foreign currency in the second half of last year, outstripped the weekly supply of dollars made available by the central bank and the Venezuelan bolivar depreciated further.

Public school teacher monthly salary is minimum about $10, where University professors earn up to $60 and $80.

“Our salaries are peanuts. I earn 460 bolivars a month [about $23],” said Odalis Aguilar, a 50-year-old teacher who marched in the city of Maracay on Monday. “We need a living wage.”

Teachers and public sector employees, in the central state of Carabobo also held demonstrations, saying cost of food and medicine is much expensive than our salaries.

“Our food is carbohydrates, no protein, few vegetables, it is very basic,” said Reina Sequera, a professor at the University of Carabobo and the main breadwinner in her family of three. “We can’t even afford acetaminophen.”

The United States, ruling party Vice President Diosdado Cabello said in comments aired on state television. Economic strife is caused by sanctions imposed on the government.

In the western states of Zulia and Lara, teachers also marched.