Breaking News English

New Mexico President takes 60% pay cut

Pay Cuts - Level 4

Mexico's next president Andres Obrador is leading his country's austerity drive. His salary will be less than half of the current president's. He wants to improve Mexico's economy. He said: "What we want is for the budget to reach everybody." Mr Obrador's salary will be just 40 per cent of that of Mexico's president, Enrique Peña Nieto. Obrador also said no public official would earn more than him. His supporters greatly welcomed his new measures.

Mr Obrador wanted to cut his salary more. He thought a bigger cut would stop people joining his government. Many are coming from the private sector. Obrador said he would keep his campaign promise to cut the benefits that high-level government officials get. He will cut back on their chauffeurs, bodyguards and health insurance. He will also turn the official presidential residence into a cultural center and stop pension payments to former presidents.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Pay Cuts - Level 5

Mexico's future president Andres Obrador is leading by example in his country's austerity drive. He will take less than half the salary of the current president. He wants to help get Mexico's economy back on track. Mr Obrador told reporters: "What we want is for the budget to reach everybody." This means he will take home a salary that is just 40 per cent of the salary currently earned by Mexico's current president, Enrique Peña Nieto. In addition, Mr Obrador said no public official would be able to earn more than he will earn. His supporters greatly welcomed his new measures.

Mr Obrador wanted to cut his salary further but stopped at 60 per cent. He thought a bigger cut would reduce the quality of people joining his government. Many are coming from the private sector to take up government jobs. Obrador said he would keep his campaign promise to reduce perks given to high-level government officials. He will cut back on chauffeurs, bodyguards and health insurance for ministers. He will also turn the official presidential residence into a cultural center and stop pension payments to former presidents.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Pay Cuts - Level 6

Mexico's president-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is leading by example in his country's austerity drive. He said he would accept less than half the salary of his predecessor when he takes office in December. This is part of an austerity drive to get Mexico's economy back on track. Mr Obrador told reporters on Sunday that: "What we want is for the budget to reach everybody." This means he will take home a salary of around $5,700 a month. This is just 40 per cent of the salary currently earned by incumbent President Enrique Peña Nieto. In addition, the president-elect said no public official would be able to earn more than he will. His supporters greatly welcomed his new austerity measures.

Mr Obrador said he wanted to cut his salary even further to play his part in helping the economy. He stopped at a 60 per cent cut because he thought a bigger cut would reduce the quality of people joining his government. Many are leaving well-paid positions in the private sector to take up ministerial posts that have a low salary ceiling. However, he said he would stand firm on his campaign promise to rein in perks given to high-level government officials. He said there would be cutbacks on chauffeurs, bodyguards and health insurance for ministers. Other measures he will introduce are to turn the official presidential residence into a cultural center and to stop pension payments to former presidents.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson