In the middle of Christmas, the congressmen had their salary raised by 5.12%

This amounts to more than $ 34’400,000, a value that has been talked about since July, but until now it has become a reality. From the Presidency they also made the salary readjustment to the administrative officials and general secretaries of the Capitol.

At the height of Christmas, President Iván Duque signed decree 1779 of 2020 with which he orders the increase in the salary of congressmen by 5.12%. In the middle of the year, it was planned to make this readjustment, however, due to the pandemic it was postponed.

In that order, the legislators’ salary will remain at 34,417,339, the value that was talked about in July, but until now it has become a reality.

This is not the only readjustment made by the president in the midst of the pandemic. Also on December 24, he signed a decree to increase the salary of the administrative officials of Congress and the secretaries of the Senate and House, who will go on to earn more than $ 17 million.

Read: President Duque adjusts salaries of administrative officials of Congress.

The readjustment percentage is ordered by the controller and it is established by making an average of the increase in the salaries of all the high officials of the National Government. Although that is the recommendation, the president has the discretion to sign the decree for that value.

Just at the time of year when the most indignation is aroused by the payment of congressmen during the legislative recess, the first president signed the decree that, it is expected, will raise much more controversy, such as the one that was incited when the proposal for freeze the transfer of representation expenses to legislators while they are in session from home and from their regions.

Also: Spending by spending: this is how the $ 34 million that congressmen earn is divided.