At the press conference after the SES session, he explained that it was the largest percentage increase ever.
He added that such a decision by the state is a balance between the demands of unions and employers, as well as efforts to protect the standard of employees, but also to save jobs.
Mali also said that in this way the trend of increasing the minimum wage, which is much higher than inflation, is preserved.
He said that the state will bear the burden of costs that employers, including the state as an employer, will have due to an increase of 41 billion dinars per year.
He explained that wages will be additionally relieved at the expense of the employer, because their non-taxable part of 19.3 thousand will be increased to 21.7 thousand dinars.
In addition, the contribution for PIO at the expense of the employer will be reduced by one percent.
“Thus, we cancel the increase in the cost burden brought about by the increase in the minimum wage, and in order to avoid layoffs due to salary increases,” said the minister.
He reminded that in five years there was a reduction in the burden on employers from 64 to 60 percent in the name of obligations based on earnings, and as one of the results he stated that Serbia now has the historically lowest unemployment rate.
“The broader picture of macroeconomic stability in Serbia requires balanced decisions. The state takes the entire burden of increasing the minimum wage on itself through relief,” he explained.
Mali assessed that the minimum labor price is an economic, not a social category and stated that the coverage of the minimum consumer basket by the minimum wage will be 81.2 percent.
“We will work so that the minimum amount reaches the entire basket as soon as possible in the coming period,” he said.
As state priorities in the dramatic European and world circumstances, he stated the preservation of macroeconomic stability, the desire to preserve every job, that is, to protect the standard of citizens.
Mali pointed out that the final no was said to the proposal of the trade union – social partners who demanded that the minimum wage be determined twice a year.
“It’s not the end. We’ll talk. We’ll all be smarter in January than today,” he said.
Orbović: The agreement was to equalize the amount of the minimum and the value of the basket
The president of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Serbia, Ljubisav Orbović, assessed that the minimum wage increases are increasing every year, but the difference between the minimum wage and the value of the minimum consumer basket is also increasing.
He said that the value of the basket is now 50,000 dinars, which is 15,000 dinars more than the minimum, which is currently 35,000 dinars.
He assessed, however, that the composition of such a consumer basket is humiliating.
“Neither the government of Serbia nor the employers have accepted our proposals. It remains that those who receive minimum wage and close to it are fighting for survival, existence and future”, he stated.
Orbović reminded that a few years ago, the agreement was to equalize the amount of the minimum and the value of the basket.
“That’s not happening. The question is what the difference will be by the end of the year. I’m not going into the reasons,” he said.
Andrić: The minimum amount is insufficiently acceptable for us
The president of UGS Nezavisnost Čedanka Andrić assessed that the Serbian government’s offer for the new minimum is not insignificant in terms of percentage, but it is also insufficient.
“Unfortunately, the minimum wage is the rule in a large number of companies, and the minimum wage is insufficient for a dignified life for a family of three. The amount of the minimum wage is insufficiently acceptable for us, it does not solve the problems we are talking about,” she said.
She added that the union’s talks with the government and employers must continue and assessed that it will be necessary to react again immediately at the beginning of 2023.
“We will have to hold the topic regularly at the SES sessions. Costs will increase, the increase will be canceled soon,” said Andrićeva.
She added that the unions will continue to demand that the minimum wage be discussed during the year.
“We did not come across an understanding that now the amount should be for the period from September to December, and the other amount should be for the following year. UGS Nezavisnost will decide on further steps on its bodies,” she answered the question about the protests.
Kisić: The dialogue about the minimum wage is high quality
The President of the Union of Employers of Serbia, Miloš Nenezić, on behalf of the economy, thanked the Government of Serbia, President Vučić, the Ministry of Finance and the National Bank for supporting the economy and employers during the crisis.
He said that the employers agreed with the increase of the minimum wage according to the state proposal.
“The state covers the increase for the most part. In the mass of coverage, part of the companies will have a minus, and fortunately most of the companies will have a benefit,” he said and added that the increase in the minimum wage will only burden weak companies.
Minister of Labor and SES chairwoman Darija Kisić assessed that the dialogue on the minimum wage was of high quality despite the sometimes different views.
She reminded that in addition to the minimum, the state also implements a number of other measures to improve the standard of living of citizens.
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