Weekly Report - 05 May 2016 (WR-16-17)

The Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) government led by President Evo Morales and the Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) umbrella trade union last week agreed on a 6% general salary increase and a 9% increase in the national minimum wage for this year. While rejected by the private sector, the deal, over what has been a thorny issue in recent years, was a bonus for Morales. However it comes as his government has faced heavy criticism over its handling of a dispute stemming from demands put forward by the disability sector.