With the current crises, it is getting more difficult every month, especially for people who have to make do with a minimum wage. Several countries in Europe recently announced a significant increase. No concrete agreement has yet been reached in Spain.
For example, Germany recently raised the minimum wage by no less than 22%. After the intended increase, the gross minimum wage in Germany will be €2,000 per month as of October 1. Poland also announced an increase of almost 14%, bringing it to €717 per month from January 2023. And from July 2023 the Polish government will increase this amount again to €731.
The minimum wage has already been increased last year, but there is currently talk in the Netherlands about a further increase of 10% of the amount. The Dutch Ministry is currently talking about an increase that will amount to around €1,900 per month from 2023. However, these plans have not yet been officially approved by all parties involved.
Spain not yet concrete about intended increases
In Spain, there has also been talk for some time about an increase in the minimum wage. Minister Yolanda Díaz wants to increase this amount even more than originally planned, but the Ministry of Employment has not yet presented any concrete plans.
Since 2019, the has already this increased significantly. The largest increase took place in 2022 when wages rose from €735 to €900. Currently, the minimum wage in Spain is €1,000, which is paid 14 times a year. At the beginning of the term, the current government promised that the it would be 60€ of the average salary in Spain by the end of the term. At the time, that promise meant that the minimum wage should be between €1,011 and €1,049 by 2023.
New calculations needed
The average salary, like inflation, has risen considerably in Spain. That is why unions have proposed a minimum wage of €1,100 (in 14 payments per year). However, negotiations are a bit more difficult because employers are reluctant to raise salaries in times of crisis.
The Ministry of Employment has had experts make new calculations on raising the minimum wage proportionally by 4.9% on top of the previously proposed increase to meet the targets. This intention will soon be discussed within the Spanish government.
