Brazil Legislators Tinker With Economic Plan: Congress...

Brazil Legislators Tinker With Economic Plan: Congress has proposed several changes to a major part of Economy Minister Fernando Henrique Cardoso’s economic program. Among the proposed changes to the measure that created an anti-inflation wage and price index--known as the Unit of Real Value--are provisions for a sharp increase in the minimum wage, automatic salary hikes whenever inflation exceeds 5% and a freeze on basic food prices. The government says some proposed changes could kill the plan’s chances of success, and Cardoso has threatened to step down if the measure is drastically altered.