The Executive and senators of the National Party (PN) last night they managed to unblock the approval of the Accountability after agreeing to part of the claims made by his partner, Town meetingin terms of salary improvement for Armed forces.
After weeks of intense negotiation, the force led by Guido Manini Ríos committed his vote in favor, although with some comments that he will make in the Senate plenary session, to the budget project sent two months ago to Parliament and that the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) I was hoping to have it approved by this time of the year.
The workhorse of Town meeting It was an improvement in the salaries received by the lowest ranks within the Armed forces. This is a sector related to the party, which is why many have pointed out the electoral interest of the measure.
How will Armed Forces salaries change?
The agreement sealed between Town meeting and the government, through its representatives in the negotiations: the white senator Rodrigo Blas and the director of Public Finance, Fernando Blancoimplies an increase in the salaries received by the lowest ranks of the military ranks.
Thus, from soldiers to the rank of colonel they will receive an improvement of 1,000 pesos in their salaries, which represents an increase of 406 million pesos in the amount for that purpose.
The benefits that the military have access to could increase even more if the negotiations that the Executive will hold today and Town meeting to finish polishing the agreement.
The lobbyists demand, in addition to the salary increase, improved payments for nocturnality and for night shifts of more than 5 hours, reinforce mental health care for Armed forces and provide greater economic resources to Police Hospital. In total, these provisions require expenses of 610 million pesos.
How much do the military earn in Uruguay?
According to data from the Ministry of Defense corresponding to the month of last January, the salaries of the Armed forces In real nominal terms they are the following:
- 2nd Cape: 34,945 pesos
- 1st Sergeant: 54,702 pesos
- 1st Lieutenant: 80,375 pesos
- Colonel: 165,633 pesos
- General: 196,707 pesos
- Commander in chief: 234,146 pesos
Currently, the total annual Defense budget is almost 30,000 million pesos, of which 78% is allocated to salaries. Salaries in the Ministry of Defense are 9% of total salary expenditure (Central Administration + 220 agencies).
Source: Ambito
