Paraguay
Health Ministry Asked to Delay Analysis of USF Workers’ Raise by 15 Days
The Ministry of Health requested more time before the Senate rules on a budget increase to raise the salaries of community health workers. The initiative was introduced by Senator José Oviedo and would affect about 2,800 workers, according to ABC Color.
The Minister of Health, Isaías Fretes, asked to postpone for 15 days the review of the budget increase linked to a salary raise for community health workers in Family Health Units, according to ABC Color.
According to that outlet, the request was made before the Finance and Budget Committee issues its opinion on the bill promoted by Senator José Oviedo, introduced on August 6.
The proposal establishes a 20% increase for community health workers who meet the required conditions. The monthly salary would rise from G. 2,900,000 to G. 3,480,000, with an increase of G. 580,000.
According to ABC Color, the benefit would reach approximately 2,800 employees hired under Expense Object 144 “Jornales” who work in a USF dependent on the Ministry of Health and currently earn G. 2,900,000.
The bill includes a budget increase of G. 7,037,333,333 for the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare. The text also stipulates that those funds be specific, restricted and non-transferable, so they could not be allocated to other items or to new hires.
ABC Color also noted that the committee chairman, Silvio “Beto” Ovelar, considered the minister’s request appropriate given the limited time available to assess the impact of the measure and the financing required. After that step, the bill must be considered by the full Senate.
Sources
About this note. Written by El Notero with assistance from artificial intelligence, based on what was published by the cited outlet. El Notero did not conduct its own reporting on this event.
