Reply #22: Bolivia's Morales Halves His Earnings and Ministers' Salaries [View All]

[Judi Lynn]

Bolivia's Morales Halves His Earnings and Ministers' Salaries

Jan. 27 (Bloomberg) -- Bolivian President Evo Morales honored an election pledge to halve his earnings and ministers' salaries, four days after being sworn in as the Latin American country's fifth leader since 2002.

Morales at his first cabinet meeting yesterday approved a decree that reduced his monthly earnings by 57 percent to 15,000 Bolivianos ($1,875) a month, and cut ministers' salaries by half, the presidential office said in an online statement.

``I'm reiterating to the Bolivian people the politics of public service,'' Morales said in the statement. The funds saved will be used for spending on health and education, he said.

Yesterday's decree also said that no civil servant nor public sector worker can earn more than the president. The new salary scale will come into effect on March 1, according to the statement.

The Bolivian presidential salary was previously set at 26,900 Bolivianos, with an additional 8,000 Bolivianos for expenses. Total ministerial earnings, including expenses, were reduced to 14,000 Bolivianos from 24,875 Bolivianos, a cut that incorporated a 50 percent reduction in their salary. The salaries of vice-ministers and heads of public bodies were also reduced, according to the statement.
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http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000086&sid=aEd70FhnEIbU&refer=latin_america