La Paz, November 24 (NNN-RHC)-- Bolivian President Evo Morales has agreed to demands by part-time workers in private and public sector to pay them an extra monthly wage bonus in December, in addition to the established end of the year double monthly salary.

“There has been neglect in the details of the double bonus decree. Therefore I want to promise the Bolivian people; that from now on double bonuses will be guaranteed to part-time workers,” he said.

President Morales’ comments coincided with a controversial statement issued by the Bolivian Finance Ministry earlier this week, which indicated that all part-time workers would be excluded from receiving this year’s monthly wage bonus payment.

In his public address, President Morales added, “We will meet next week in order to amend the double bonus payment decree.”

In November 2013, the Bolivian government approved a financial decree which authorized the allocation of a double bonus, a payment equivalent to one month’s salary to all salaried workers. The double bonus is to be paid each year for as long as GDP growth remains above 4.5 percent. In 2014, Bolivia expects to register a growth of 5.2 percent.