Written question asked by Fabian Hamilton (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 January 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 January 2023 (named day). It was answered by David Rutley (Conservative) on Thursday, 26 January 2023 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Venezuela: Public Sector

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of reports that teachers and public sector workers in Venezuela took to the streets on 16 January 2023 in at least 13 states to protest for increased salaries.

Answer: There have been a number of recent protests by workers calling for higher public sector wages in Venezuela. Our policies towards Venezuela already take account of the economic and humanitarian crises in the country. Extraordinary levels of inflation, and the consequent destruction of wealth and of earning power, will have been important factors taken into account by the estimated 7 million Venezuelans who have taken the difficult decision to leave their country during recent years.

Secondary information