LatinNews Daily - 28 May 2026

*The head of Paraguay’s umbrella trade union Central Unitaria de Trabajadores (CUT), Aldo Snead, has given an interview to local radio station Universo 970 AM in which he criticised the official calculation process to determine changes to the minimum wage, which is currently set at G$2.9m (US$472) per month. He said that the central bank’s inflation calculations do not reflect economic realities faced by workers and argued that minimum wage adjustments should not be based on the inflation figures for June. These comments come as the national minimum wage council (Conasam) – comprising government officials and representatives from business groups and trade unions – is holding meetings to set a new minimum wage, which President Santiago Peña is expected to decree in July. Snead said that the 3.2% wage increase proposed by industry associations was a “mockery” to workers, adding that union calculations indicate that workers have lost 30% of their purchasing power in recent years and that this needs to be compensated. CUT is reportedly calling for an increase of G$647,000 in the minimum wage, or 22.3%. Union leaders suspended their involvement in the Conasam talks on 26 May and have demanded a direct audience with Peña.