The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Serbia (SSSS) announced today its proposal to increase the minimum wage for 2025 to 60 percent of the average consumer basket value. This would amount to 61,858 dinars, or 355.5 dinars per hour, marking a 31.2 percent increase compared to the current rate.
Zoran Mihajlović, General Secretary of the SSSS, revealed that negotiations with the Government, representative unions, and the Union of Serbian Employers on the minimum wage for 2025 are set to begin on August 15. Mihajlović expressed hope for the support of other unions in these discussions.
The SSSS also plans to propose that the minimum hourly wage for the years 2025 to 2027 increase at the same rate as it did in 2024, which was 17.83 percent. This would set the minimum hourly wage for 2025 at 319.3 dinars.
Mihajlović criticized current government projections, which propose that the minimum wage will reach 650 euros by 2027. He argues that achieving this target would require an annual increase of about 17.83 percent, implying that the minimum wage should be at least 55,300 dinars this year according to those projections.
The SSSS aims to ensure that the minimum wage rises more significantly to better protect workers, prevent young, skilled workers from leaving the country, and address living standards. Mihajlović emphasized that the unions are not opposed to foreign investments and workers coming to Serbia.
Goran Milić, Vice President of the SSSS and President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Vojvodina, believes that the minimum wage for 2025 will be determined solely by the Serbian Government rather than through compromise.
Milić highlighted that the European Commission’s directive mandates that the minimum wage should be 50 percent of the average consumer basket or 60 percent of the minimum consumer basket. However, it allows exceptions for countries with lower earnings like Serbia.
The SSSS remains committed to advocating for a minimum wage increase that reflects realistic economic conditions and improves living standards for workers and citizens.
