Zoran Mihajlović, Secretary of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Serbia (SSSS), announced that discussions have commenced on the minimum wage for 2025. According to Mihajlović, both unions and employers have presented their positions, and the state is expected to reveal its proposal on August 19 at the next meeting.
The SSSS and United Branch Unions (UGS) “Independence” have advocated for the minimum wage to be set at 60 percent of the average consumer basket, translating to 61,800 dinars. This proposal represents a 30 percent increase from the current minimum wage of 47,000 dinars and aligns with the Government’s target of reaching 650 euros by 2027.
Conversely, employers are proposing a more modest eight percent increase. Nebojša Atanacković, a representative of the Union of Employers of Serbia, indicated that employers consider an eight percent rise realistic. He added that any higher increase would necessitate state compensation. Atanacković cited anticipated inflation of around three percent and GDP growth of about 4.5 percent as justification for the eight percent figure.
UGS “Independence” reiterated that their goal has never been to align the minimum wage with the cost of the minimum consumer basket but to ensure it is not below this threshold. They criticized the minimum consumer basket concept, describing it as inadequate and outdated.
The union argued that Serbia should align its minimum wage legislation with EU standards, which recommend that minimum wages should be at least 60 percent of the average wage. They emphasized that Serbia’s purchasing power remains low, with only North Macedonia and Albania below it in the EU rankings.
UGS “Independence” also questioned whether the Serbian Government’s projection of a 650-euro minimum wage by 2027 is still valid but did not receive a clear response during the meeting.
