Merging extra payments on monthly salaries causes controversy

The previous Saturday during his regular nation-wide broadcast, President Rafael Correa made some proposals about the project on the new Labour Code that have generated concern among trade union organizations, including the merging of the thirteenth and fourteenth salary into the monthly wage.

Mesias Tatamuez, president of the Confederation of Unitary Classists Organization (Cedocut) considers that the system of thirteenth and fourteenth salaries, must remain as resources used in times of greatest need for workers (school enrollment, Christmas and New Year’s eve).

Likewise, Assembly member Andres Paez said that a culture of saving money does not exist in the country, which will mean that workers spend their resources each month and end up in debt at the end of the year.

However, the president made it clear that the measure would not be applied on a general scale, but each worker would have to decide whether or not he or she wants his or her payments in that way.

“Those are anachronisms, to have additional salary in December for Christmas, or in September to get school books. You now have monthly increase, which you can put in the bank and earn interests in there (…) -The Monthly Wages- will be voluntary. He who does not want it that way, may send a letter and say ‘I’m undisciplined, I’ll throw the money away so you better pay me the tenth salary in December’, “said Correa.

Rafael Correa made controversial proposals.