The Ministry of Labor has proposed a minimum wage increase figure to unions and employers. The department led by Yolanda Díaz has proposed an increase of 4%, to place the SMI at 1,123.2 euros per month in fourteen payments, from the current 1,080 euros. This Monday’s social dialogue meeting concluded without an agreement and with pending tasks. Above all, that Labor negotiates within the Government one of the conditions of the employers, which has been supported by the unions: linking public contracts to the increase in the SMI.
Vice President Yolanda Díaz expressed after the meeting that there is “margin for agreement” and has affirmed her “commitment” to speak with the rest of the Government about this request. Specifically, it is the responsibility of the Ministries of Finance and Economy. Labor sources point out that the Ministry’s willingness to negotiate to try to reach a three-party agreement, with the unions and also the employers.
Still no agreement
The representatives of the unions, Fernando Luján (UGT) and Mari Cruz Vicente (CCOO), appeared at the end of the meeting to communicate the specific figure proposed by the Ministry. The workers’ confederations have not supported the figure, nor have they opposed it, and have limited themselves to pointing out that the negotiation is still open. elDiario.es has consulted the CEOE about the Labor proposal, but has not responded so far.
CCOO and UGT demanded an increase of more than 5%, while the businessmen had proposed an increase of 3%, which could increase up to 1% more if prices finally exceeded this figure, just as they included in the great salary pact for collective bargaining (AENC).
Fernando Luján, deputy secretary general of UGT, has warned that 4% “is the proposal of the employers, the 3+1”, and has pointed out to the organization led by Antonio Garamendi to respond as to whether it accepts this increase. “We want to know if the employers’ association is consistent with what they themselves ask for,” he indicated.
Likewise, the unions have highlighted that Labor has proposed a 20% bonus in Social Security contributions for the rural sector, as requested by employers.
CCOO and UGT have reiterated the need for the minimum wage to reach the commitment of 60% of the average wage, which the coalition of PSOE and Sumar promised to set by law, incorporating it into the Workers’ Statute permanently.
In addition, the unions have insisted that the SMI must increase above inflation, 3.2% year-on-year and 3.8% average for the year, since many basic products have risen much more (food by 9, 5%), making the shopping basket of those who earn the least more expensive, stated Maricruz Vicente, Secretary of Union Action and Employment of CCOO.
The condition of public contracts
The meeting has been left at the expense of the parties continuing to talk to bring positions closer together, but above all with an eye on one element. This is the condition required by the CEOE, to link the increase in the minimum wage to public contracts. A claim repeated in recent years and which, so far, has not been addressed by the coalition government.
The unions have supported this measure, which was also included in the May agreement of the AENC, because they consider that the current situation – which dates back to two laws from the time of Mariano Rajoy – makes thousands of subcontracted workers (and especially female workers) precarious. by the public sector.
Labor has committed to talking within the Government about this element, whose powers reside specifically in the Ministry of Finance, led by María Jesús Montero, and the Ministry of Economy, whose reins are directed until the end of the year by Nadia Calviño, who has already been appointed to preside over the EIB (European Investment Bank). At the moment, there is a new moment of tension between Labor and the Economy, due to the unemployment benefits reform.
Source: www.eldiario.es
