💰 Disagreement on new minimum wage

Happy Monday!

This week we're covering updates on the new proposed minimum wage, the Vice President's ambitions to run for presidency in 2025, and an anticipated protest in two weeks.

Ravaksur angry about proposed minimum wage

• The Council of Trade Union Federations in Suriname (Ravaksur) is not pleased with the maintained minimum hourly wage set by the Wage Council (Loonraad) and approved by the government council on February 8.

• The minimum hourly wage is set at SRD 38.50 per hour, which was previously SRD 20.

• Ravaksur urges President Chan Santokhi to finalize the minimum hourly wage as proposed by the Wage Council.

• The Wage Council has representatives of all social partners and established the minimum hourly wage after consultations with social groups and relevant reports.

• The Wage Council's advice was initially adopted by Minister Steven Mac Andrew of Labour, Employment and Youth Affairs and later approved by the government council.

• The business community protested against the minimum hourly wage after it was announced.

• Minister Steven Mac Andrew announced that the minimum hourly wage is now SRD 30 from March 1 to June 30 and SRD 35 from July 1 to December 31.

• The minimum hourly wage is not retroactive to January 1.

• Ravaksur has written to the president to expect the government to apply the minimum hourly wage set by the Wage Council and approved by the government.

• Consultations are being held with the Minister of Finance and Planning about flanking policy, and there will be a follow-up meeting on Saturday, with this issue on the agenda of Ravaksur on Monday.

Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk prepares for the next election and aims for the presidency

• ABOP Chairman Ronnie Brunswijk plans to become president of Suriname in 2025.

• Brunswijk and his partner of Pertjajah Luhur, Paul Somohardjo, have promised to stay in government until 2025.

• ABOP/PL is expected to win more than 20 seats in the upcoming election, potentially enough to make Brunswijk president.

• Brunswijk and Somohardjo have a longstanding partnership dating back to the 1980s.

• Somohardjo said that he believes that Brunswijk deserves to be president and has done a lot for the country during his speech.

• Maroons and Javanese account for more than 140,000 votes in the election which matters to both parties as in Suriname many still vote by racial or ethnic lines.

Protest announced for the 24th of March

• A joint “Alles Plat” (no work)  protest will be held on March 24, 2023 to signal the government's failure to fulfill promises and bring calm to the country.

• The business community is urged to keep doors closed or send staff away at 10 am on March 24 to show solidarity, protect property, and defend from the looting and plundering

• Trade unions and civil society organizations are called upon to act together on March 24 to show their support for the action.

• The action is a peaceful protest but no permit has been asked despite being in close consultation with the police, according to the organizers.

• Supporters are asked to change their social media profile picture to the Surinamese flag on March 24.

• The action demands the suspension of parliament meetings and the prioritization of national interest over party interest.

• The action will take place at Independence Square in Paramaribo at 10 am on March 24, 2023.

• The statement is signed by various individuals and organizations who are dissatisfied with the government's mismanagement and malfunctioning of parliament.