Buenos Aires, December 1 (NA) – Electricity and gas rates will increase by an average of 2.8% in December due to a combination of factors, including subsidy cuts. Official sources informed Noticias Argentina agency of the percentage of the increases, which take effect starting today. The increase particularly affects salaried sectors whose wage updates are below that percentage. Due to the pass-on effect in the commercial chain, this increase sets a floor for December inflation, which impacts more heavily on minimum pensioners. Their out-of-pocket expenses rise below inflation as the bonus is not updated. The 2.8% increase in electricity is practically the same nationwide, but for gas, there are differences in various geographical areas. The decided increase includes rises in generation and transportation and a cut in state aid levels across the entire chain. To the increase in energy tariffs are added increments in transportation, which further complicates national budgets. Amidst this entire picture, the new update in fuel prices still needs to be deciphered.
