This quote off another thread -
After not having a cost of living increase for the last 8 years while inflation ran at about a 3% average, means each and everyone of us have already giving 24% in concessions. This equates to 3 months salary.
Cost of gweilo food in the Park n Rob and Welcome has increased by substantially more than 3% in the past few years.
I am doing a bit of research here and as an example cheese has on average doubled in price since '07. Chicken - imported - has gone up by 60% since Jan 2008. I can go on.
Frozen chinese dumplings on the other hand now costs EXACTLY the same as two years ago - wifey is local - she checks.
It is clear that the strategy is to up the prices of imported food to subsidize local food.
An SO mate with two kids now spends 25 % of his salary on food