It seems like the current government administration of Peru, helmed by President Ollanta Humala, does not want to be one-upped by the Peruvian presidential candidates, who are all seeking to take office and promising to offer better leadership.

Humala has just raised the bar higher, particularly in the employment department. The Peruvian politician and former military official approved a minimum wage hike of 13 percent.

Humala's Administration Paved the Way for Two Minimum Wage Hikes in His Tenure

The newly-authorized decree will take effect on May 1, 2016 and will lead to a monthly income floor of 850 soles, or $252, a 100-sole increase from the previous amount of 750 soles ($223). When Humala took office back in 2011, the wage floor stood at 600 soles.

He authorized an earlier increase of 150 soles ($44) back in 2012 and has now raised the minimum wage to a total of 250 soles ($74), or a 42 percent hike since he assumed office in 2011.

The Presidential Candidates' Take on Minimum Wage Increase

The presidential aspirants have also been dangling each of their respective plans to kick the minimum wage upstairs in hopes of reeling in the electorate to their favor, particularly those working in the lower stratum.

Presidential race frontrunner Keiko Fujimori has already stated her desire to increase the minimum wage without specifying the exact figures. Meanwhile, some of her rivals were more generous with their proposals.

Cusco's left-wing congresswoman Veronika Mendoza said that the people can expect a new wage floor of 1,000 soles if she ever takes office. Former Peruvian Prime Minister Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, also known as PPK, commended the measure from the administration but also said that he will look into the possibility of a further increase once he gets elected. PPK was also pushing for an 850-soles increase.

Meanwhile, speaking in front of his supporters in the Southern Peruvian city of Puno, wherein he signed the new order and is home to some of the marginalized poor in the country, Humala challenged the crowd to choose the next leader wisely.

"You all will be the judge of who can do better than this government. When candidates come here looking for votes ... don't settle for just anything," he said.

Humala's term will come to an end this coming July and he won't be allowed to seek re-election under the local constitution. His political party has also dropped out of the upcoming elections after a sluggish showing in the polls.

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