With prices rising in one of western Europe’s poorest countries, many Portuguese say the government is not helping them cope and are blasting a new measure to cut value-added tax (VAT) on the prices of staple foods.

“Products are really more expensive and it’s hard to get what we need … we buy less,” says Lisbon resident Teresa Perez, 62, who chooses to shop at a food store in the Benfica district for to economize.

“I think it’s such a ridiculous amount (of the VAT cut) … it’s not going to be felt anyway,” he says.

The government, which did not respond to a request for comment, announced on Monday a list of 44 essential goods — such as milk, bread, rice, tomatoes, some types of meat and fish–of which 6% VAT will be temporarily deducted.

He also increased subsidies to benefit the poorest families, but only the measure to reduce the VAT concerns the demand of the general population of ten million inhabitants of which more than 50% of the workers are paid less than 1,000 euros a month.

“Increase people’s wages,” suggests 45-year-old Ana Siva, owner of a bakery in the Benfica market.

“The VAT measure is trivial. The difference will be on the order of five or six cents“, he notes.

The government announced 1% increase in wages of more than 740,000 civil servants of the country.

In February the inflation in Portugal slowed slightly to 8.2% compared to the same period last year, but the prices of unprocessed foodsuch as fruits and vegetables, increased by 20.11%. The rising cost of living has sparked a wave of protest in Portugal and other European countries.

Deco Proteste, the largest consumer association in the country, announced that the basket of essential goods costs around 226 euros, an increase of 23% compared to a year ago.

“Consumers had to change their eating habits. We are starting to see a large portion of consumers who have had to stop buying,” says Rita Rodríguez of Deco Proteste.

Antonio Brito, a grocer, explains that fewer and fewer customers are showing up at his store.

“Those who come count every last coin because there is very little purchasing power,” he adds and calls on the government to increase wages and pensions.