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Peru’s Congress Prepares S/46,900 December Payouts for Each Lawmaker

A collective agreement in force through 2025 authorizes the benefits with limited external oversight.

Overview

  • Official documents cited by Cuarto Poder show Congress procuring 4,500 electronic cards worth S/1,900 each, a purchase of S/8.55 million for legislators and staff.
  • The December total per legislator comprises S/15,600 in salary, an equal gratuity, a S/11,000 congressional function bonus, S/2,800 for representation, and the S/1,900 card.
  • The Congressional Board created a commission to negotiate the 2026–2027 agreement, and the institution has asked the Executive for S/700 million to cover these and related obligations.
  • The card’s unit value rose from S/1,500 in 2020–2021 to S/1,900 since 2024, with roughly S/24.66 million spent on this benefit between 2023 and 2025.
  • Reaction split quickly: some lawmakers said they would return or redirect funds, others defended the payouts as routine, and critics faulted the state’s pay structure and lack of austerity.