Minimum Wage Increases/Sowing Life
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Minimum Wage Increases/Sowing Life

Photo by:   Gobierno de México
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Paloma Duran By Paloma Duran | Journalist and Industry Analyst - Thu, 12/01/2022 - 11:39

Minimum wage increases. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador stressed that a consensus was reached between the business and the labor sectors to increase the minimum wage in 2023. “I want to thank the labor sector and especially the business sector, since they have reached an agreement to increase the minimum wage. This allows us to give more benefits to Mexicans so they can have a dignified life.”

Minimum wages in Mexico are expected to increase by 20 percent, general minimum wages will increase from MX$172.87 (US$9.03) to MX$207.44 (US$10.84), while for jobs located at the border will increase from MX$260.34(US$13.60) to MX$312.41 (US$16.32). In the last 4 years the minimum wage has increased from MX$88 (US$4.59) to MX$173 (US$9.03). In 2019, the minimum wage increased 16.2 percent; in 2020 it increased 20 percent; in 2021 15 percent; and in 2022 22 percent.

Sowing Life. President López Obrador highlighted that his Sowing Life Program has helped people from marginalized areas to move away from drugs and to be able to have a more ethical source of income. "We are implementing the program in areas where most drugs are grown, such as the Sinaloa highlands. Instead of planting marijuana or poppy, people are planting fruit and timber trees. We are making a change.”

Since 2021, López Obrador's Sowing Life program has been widely promoted to improve the quality of life in Central America and southern Mexico and seeks to create jobs and reactivate local economies by addressing the region's two main problems: rural poverty and environmental degradation. However, according to experts, this is a long-term plan and is not designed to address many of today's problems.

Alternatives to glyphosate. President López Obrador assured that glyphosate will not be banned until the CONACYT finds an alternative. “So far, we have only limited the volume that can be used. We will wait to see what CONACYT recommends us.”

The glyphosate herbicide has been subject to controversy over recent years with respect to its alleged negative impact on human health and the environment. Grupo Consultor de Mercados Agricolas (GCMA) recognizes the controversy around the product and says that its replacement is desirable. Last year, the Association for Protection of Crops, Science and Technology warned that the ban on glyphosate used in Mexico could deal a hard blow to production causing a decrease of up to 40 percent in corn and bean production. Other crops, such as chili, tomato, citrus and coffee, would also be affected.

FIFA World Cup. President López Obrador congratulated the Mexican team for having played very well in the last match against Saudi Arabia. In addition, he stressed that more investment needs to be allocated to sports and national teams. “Congratulations to the team because yesterday they played very well, they gave us moments of joy and hope. There is a lot of love for soccer, but very little development. We need to invest more."

Yesterday, Mexico defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1, but the team was eliminated from the 2022 World Cup. Both Mexico and Poland finished with 4 points in the World Cup’s Group C. However, Poland had a better fair play record and a better goal difference. This is the first time since 1978 that the Mexican national team has failed to reach the round of 16 in a World Cup.

 

Photo by:   Gobierno de México

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