Montenegrin economy is sinking deeper every day, and the blame lies on an incompetent government made up of agent parties! Micro and small businesses, which make up a whopping 98% of the economy, are being strangled by bureaucracy and discouraging regulations. The tourist season is collapsing, and the energy sector is struggling with financial illiquidity. The government decided to halve the newly formed trading fleet, while obligations to suppliers are increasingly difficult to meet, and local authorities are delaying salary and pension payments. This is a clear sign of an autumn budget crisis and complete irresponsibility of those in power.
On the other hand, Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar announced the removal of fuel price regulation, claiming the market is now stable and some types of fuel might even get cheaper. However, he calls on oil distributors to act responsibly, as the state will closely monitor price formation and reintroduce regulation if necessary. This decision has nothing to do with the tourist season, says Šušnjar, but citizens wonder how this will affect their standard of living and the economy.
While Montenegro is sinking into an economic crisis, Germany is fighting fiercely over minimum wages for seasonal agricultural workers. The German Ministry of Agriculture rejected a proposal to pay seasonal workers 80% of the minimum wage, as it is legally impossible. The minimum wage in Germany will increase to 14.60 euros per hour over the next two years, which is a heavy burden for farmers but necessary for sustainable production.
All these news show how complex the economic situation is and how different policies and approaches are in the region. Montenegro faces a crisis and incompetent government, while Germany tries to protect workers and maintain food production. What do you think – will Montenegro manage to pull itself out of this economic swamp, or are we in for an even deeper fall? Drop a comment, let’s see who’s the optimist and who’s the pessimist!
