New minimum wage in the New Year

New minimum wage levels announced by President Ricardo Martinelli in a flurry of seasonal good news moves, will be introduced in January. 

The increases range from $31 to $95 a month, depending on location and will bring monthly pay levels to those hardest hit by the increase in the cost of living to between $349 and $416 a month.
The pay rates will depend upon the type of occupation and are designed to have the least effect on those owning small businesses and the agricultural sector.
Justice has been done," said Martinelli, noting that the new levels represent the highest minimum wage in the last 50 years.
He added that employers concerned only with profits may not agree, but fair employers will accept.
The Executive Branch was charged with fixing a new minimum wage, following failed meetings of the National Minimum Wage Commission, when workers representatives called for an across the board  minimum wage of $650.
The National Council of Private Enterprise responded with an offer to increase pay between 3 percent and 15 percent, based on economic activity and location.
The measure, which comes closer to the employers’ demands, will come into force in January 2010, and will affect some 250,000 workers.
It is unlikely to please negotiators on either side.