The measure, which would decouple the minimum
wage from how fines and some levies are calculated, is part of
Pena Nieto's bid to eventually boost economic growth and the
purchasing power of low-income Mexicans.
Depending on area, the daily minimum wage in Mexico varies
between 63.8 pesos and 67.3 pesos ($4.44-$4.69).
If the bill is approved by both houses of Congress, as expected,
a future minimum wage increase would also require the approval
of an independent commission.
Proponents of a wage increase argue that the proposal would
shore up weak domestic demand, which has hammered growth in
Latin America's second biggest economy. Critics, meanwhile, have
raised concerns that the move could fuel inflation which has
hovered above the central bank's 4 percent ceiling for several
months.
(Reporting by David Alire Garcia and Alexandra Alper; Editing by
Robert Birsel)
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