Related Story:Vallarta Taxi Drivers Raising Rates for High Season?

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - According to Rafael Yerena Zambrano, the Secretary General of El Federación de Trabajadores en Jalisco (the Federation of Workers in Jalisco, or FTJ), taxi fares in Puerto Vallarta HAVE been raised by 25%, "as it is now a necessary measure."

He said that while the price increase "may be out of reach for many citizens today," the drivers have to pay rising operating costs and the raise in rates is based on those expenses. Even the short distance fares, which were previously priced at $40 pesos, have increased to $50 pesos.

"The drivers that are not based out of hotels, (where they can negotiate with the manager to set the applicable rates for cab rides,) have not asked for a rate increase for the last three or four years - but now they have no other alternative," Yerena Zambrano explained.

He added that whether the increase is 'right' or not depends on how you look at the situation. He recognized that nobody thinks it is right for them to increase the cost of service, but "sometimes it is necessary, as it is this case."

He said that before the 4.2% increase in minimum wage, the increment of 25% in the fare might have been too high, but now it seems more reasonable. He stressed that many companies pay the majority of their workers salaries that are well above the minimum.

"And that's why we have unions - to fight for wages above the minimum and we will continue fighting hard with employers to get workers more money. Don't forget, minimum wage has finally been increased by 4.2%, instead of just 3 to 3.5 percent, as in the past."

Finally, Yerena Zambrano considers that the minimum wage should keep gradually recuperating before the purchasing power of minimum wage workers is completely lost.