Africa-Press – Angola. The Secretary-General of the Union of Trade Unions of Benguela, Helena França, defended today, Friday, the increase of the national minimum wage to the equivalent of Usd 300 and the reduction of the Labor Income Tax (IRT), to the socio-economic situation in the country.
According to the trade unionist, on the sidelines of the 3rd ordinary meeting of the Provincial Council of the Union of Trade Unions of Benguela, it is necessary for the Government to adopt measures that minimize the impact of inflation and increase workers’ purchasing power.
Helena França referred that the unions have been discussing with the Government about the effects of inflation and ways to help workers out of the precarious situation in which they find themselves.
“The dizzying rise in basic basket products is leaving workers and their families in a precarious situation and is still a major concern for the union, as spokespersons for this class with the employers and the Government”, he said.
According to a monthly analysis of the consumer price index, USB understands that there is a large gap between wages and the current cost of the basic food basket, he said.
In the same vein, the USB considers that at rural level the basic food basket is around 70,000 kwanzas and in urban areas around 200,000, values that fall short of the average salary of most workers.
Regarding some measures taken by the Angolan Government, such as the withdrawal of the fuel price subsidy, having focused in this first phase on the price of gasoline, which went from Kz 160 to 300 a litre, Helena França admits that they are necessary, but considers that they should be implemented gradually to avoid the sharp rise in the cost of living.
The provincial council aims to balance the activities carried out by the Union of Unions of Benguela in 2022, plans of accounts and put into perspective the activities of the 2023/2024 financial year.
Fourteen unions, with around 80,000 members, are part of the USB.
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