President López Obrador's Vision for Southeastern Development
President López Obrador announces a historic 20% increase in Mexico's minimum wage, praising consensus with business and labor sectors. He dispels misinformation about Christmas bonuses, discusses Acapulco's reconstruction progress, and emphasizes infrastructure projects' impact on the southeast.
In his morning conference from the National Palace, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) began by highlighting a significant achievement — a unanimous agreement between the government, business, and labor sectors to increase the minimum wage by 20%. This landmark decision, set to take effect in January, will raise the daily minimum wage from 207.44 to 248.93 pesos, a move that the President asserted will positively impact thousands of workers.
In the subsequent “Who's Who in Lies” segment, Elizabeth Vilchis exposed misleading information regarding Christmas bonuses at Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) and the Institute of Security and Social Services for State Workers (ISSSTE). Vilchis debunked false claims, reaffirming that Pemex will deliver bonuses to its workers on time, while the ISSSTE will provide annual bonuses to its pensioners.
The Secretary of Labor, Marath Bolaños, emphasized the historic nature of this agreement, stating that it marks the sixth attempt to increase the minimum wage. The increase, coupled with other economic policies, has contributed to lifting 5.1 million people out of poverty during the current administration.
Acknowledging this achievement, Francisco Cervantes, President of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), and representatives from the labor sector expressed their support and gratitude to President López Obrador.
In response to recent controversies, President López Obrador addressed the attendance of the Secretary of Security of the State of Mexico at a Luis Miguel concert. He delegated the matter to the State Governor, Delfina Gomez, emphasizing that public servants are entitled to leisure activities during non-working hours, subject to analysis.
Switching gears, the President discussed the progress in the reconstruction of Acapulco. He highlighted a departure from past corruption and affirmed that donations for victims are reaching them directly, with no intermediaries involved. The President recognized citizens and organizations contributing to the reconstruction efforts.
Shifting to infrastructure projects, López Obrador underscored the significance of initiatives like the Olmeca Refinery, the Mayan Train, and the Transisthmian Corridor in promoting development in the southeast. He announced the upcoming inauguration of a passenger train from Salina Cruz to Coatzacoalcos, emphasizing the importance of connectivity for economic growth.
In response to media speculation about the country's economic outlook, Elizabeth Vilchis refuted claims that Mexico's economy would face downturns, stating that it is poised for substantial growth.
Finally, President López Obrador addressed his proposal for weekend “Mañaneras” to counteract potential attacks during the 2024 electoral campaigns, confirming that he will not proceed with this plan. He also announced his intention to present an award to businessman Claudio X. González for his support to the transformation movement.
Closing the conference, the President touched on the issue of drug consumption, highlighting areas in Mexico where it is a problem. He stressed the importance of promoting family values and unity to address the challenges associated with drug trafficking and consumption.
As the morning conference concluded, President López Obrador demonstrated a commitment to transparency, economic progress, and social welfare, providing insights into the administration's achievements and ongoing challenges.
