Uruguay's Minister of Economy and Finance, Azucena Arbeleche, accompanied by other members of the cabinet, reported that the state will allocate resources to strengthen educational transformation and citizen security, as well as to comply with the salary recovery of public officials.
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Arbeleche was accompanied at the press conference in the Executive Tower by the heads of Labor and Social Security, Pablo Mieres; of the Interior, Luis Alberto Heber, and of Education and Culture, Pablo da Silveira.
Arbeleche indicated that the meeting reviewed the growth of the economy achieved in 2021, which after a year of pandemic increased by 4.4%. "It was well above the estimates of analysts and the economic team itself," she said.
He also said that the increase went hand in hand with the generation of jobs, and that last year almost all of the jobs lost due to the situation caused by COVID-19 were recovered. "The focus of economic policy is on job creation."
During 2021 poverty in Uruguay decreased by one percentage point, and that it was a year in which, from the Government, resources were provided to overcome the pandemic through the COVID Fund. She stressed that, "despite increased spending, the Government maintained the commitment not to increase taxes."
Arbeleche reviewed the international context, with the aforementioned health situation and the war in Ukraine. He argued that the country was not immune to the consequences of these events, in relation to the increase in prices and fuel.
She also explained that in the first quarter of 2022 the economy in Uruguay grew, compared to the same quarter of the previous year, more than 8%, and stated that, based on this situation, the economic team projects growth for this year of 4.8%, one percentage point above what was projected in February. This increase will bring about the creation of approximately 40,000 jobs.
Regarding the salary recovery planned for public officials, Minister Mieres explained that the Government is currently developing the final stages of a dialogue with the education unions and representatives of the Confederation of Organizations of State Officials (COFE).
He affirmed that the recovery "has already begun" and that the Government's will to comply with what was agreed upon is clear.
Regarding the possible reduction of personal income tax (IRPF) and social security assistance (IASS), Minister Arbeleche recalled that the president, Luis Lacalle Pou, was clear in saying that, if there was more growth, there would be a decrease in taxes. The commitment is still valid and it is necessary to wait until the announcements of June 30, when the Surrender will be delivered to Parliament.
"The axes of Accountability have to do with a look to the future and growth," she concluded. ■