[NYTr] In Honor of Che, Chavez Gives Venez Doctors 60% Pay Raise

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Bloomberg - October 9, 2007
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a.ndcAcPOx2g

Chavez, Honoring Che, Gives Venezuela Doctors 60 Percent Raise

By Matthew Walter
Bloomberg

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said that doctors working for the
public health system will get a 60 percent pay raise in honor of Cuban
revolutionary hero Ernesto ``Che'' Guevara, who was a trained physician.

Venezuela, the fourth-biggest supplier of crude oil to the United
States, will tap increased revenue from oil exports to increase pay for
public doctors, Chavez said last night during a ceremony to commemorate
the 40th anniversary of Che's death.

``This is justice for those that work for life and health of the
Venezuelan people,'' Chavez said at the ceremony in Caracas, according
to a statement from the government's Information Ministry.

Chavez has used his country's oil income to more than triple public
spending over the past four years, increasing the government's role in
the economy and helping spark the fastest inflation in Latin America.
Last week, he announced a 40 percent pay raise for teachers.

The 60 percent raise for doctors will take effect Nov. 1.

The Venezuelan president said yesterday he will broadcast his next
Sunday television program, called ``Alo Presidente,'' from Santa Clara,
Cuba, the site of a monument honoring Guevara.