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António Costa has stated that the national minimum wage could exceed the threshold of 900 euros by 2026, therefore being above the amount promised by the socialists in the electoral programme presented for the 30th of January. “It may be possible to go further”, acknowledged the secretary general of the PS, in an interview with Rádio Renascença.
“We have seen with great satisfaction that many entrepreneurs say that we have to make a leap in relation to the minimum wage. I had a meeting with businessmen and some said that at least €1,000 should be the level of the national minimum wage”, said Costa, who stressed that the amount in question is set by the Government and does not depend on the “yes” of the bosses nor the unions.
“Our commitment is 900 euros, but obviously we would like that, in the agreement that is being negotiated in the Social Dialogue, [the minimum wage] could go further. If we can go further, we go further”.
The guaranteed minimum monthly remuneration is currently set at 705 euros, after having been updated by 40 euros between 2021 and 2022, without agreement from the social partners. The Government's goal for this legislature was to reach 750 euros by 2023, but the failure of the State Budget proposal for 2022 caused the anticipation of the elections and, consequently, called into question the fulfilment of this objective.
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Of course this statement is made a week before the elections. The Portuguese need 900 euros in 2022 not 2026. Portugal received EU bailout money and it needs to make its way to the citizens.
By Shelly from Lisbon on 24 Jan 2022, 17:45
If you look at the rip off prices charges by many hotels,the least they can do is paying a living wage to their employees.
I find it disgusting that these hotels some charging many hundreds of euros a night are paying minimum wages to most of their staff.
We should not still be living in feudal times.
Time for radical reforms.
By James from Algarve on 24 Jan 2022, 22:47
Low wages don't get higher by decree. As much as I agree the Portuguese receive too little, it is unreasonable to assume that by decree anyone will be more productive. This is only helpful to government workers because they have no requirement on productivity. Everyone else needs to work for what they are paid for. We are simply making it illegal for someone that can't produce 900€ to be employed.
Reducing taxes is the only way government can have a positive effect on people's wages. Not a decree, the economy does not get better by decree. If you think otherwise you're ignorig the reality of the situation.
By Pedro from Lisbon on 25 Jan 2022, 08:24
Couldn't agree more Pedro.
The only way the government could possibly assure we have more money in our pockets is to stop taxing everything that moves (to quote João Cotrim Figueiredo from Inciativa Liberal who will be getting my vote on the 30th.)
Portugal needs to free itself from the post-revolutionary Socialist delusions that infect all our political discourse.
The role of government should be to ensure free market conditions and individual liberty, from which will follow prosperity and better living conditions.
I will add that those found guilty of corruption in the public or private sector should be severely punished, stripped of all assets and imprisoned for life.
By Quentin Ferreira from Lisbon on 26 Jan 2022, 16:07
Doesn't everyone want to earn more? Just be careful what you wish for! A higher minimum wage will feed through to higher prices in labour-intensive industries like hotels, catering and services. So your purchasing power will go down. It is not reasonable to call for higher wages without considering their unintended consequences.
By Billy Bissett from Porto on 26 Jan 2022, 16:11
Soon the entire population will be on minimum wage, as sadly I do not see salaries that are currently above the minimum wage increasing.
By Eddie from Algarve on 08 Jan 2023, 08:42