International Workers’ Day in Belgrade (BETAPHOTO/Nikola Todorovic)
The Alliance of Independent Trade Unions announced on Aug. 25 that no agreement to increase the minimum wage had been reached at a meeting of unions, employers and the Government of Serbia, even though the Ministry of Finance suggested that the minimum wage be increased by 17.8 percent to RSD47,154 in 2024.
The talks were suspended as government negotiators rejected trade unions’ requests that adjusting the minimum wage for this year be discussed first, and only then increasing next year’s minimum wage, the Association said in a release.
The Ministry of Finance proposed that the untaxable part of salaries be increased from RSD21,000 to RSD25,000 for employers. Representatives of the Association reiterated that increasing this year’s minimum wage needed to be discussed first and that it should equal the value of the basket of goods.
When this is done, as Finance Minister Sinisa Mali promised, the Association will start talks on next year’s minimum wage. An agreement is still possible, since the Social Economic Council will convene on Aug. 29 in the Association’s offices, while the finance minister will be present as well.
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