The Government of Serbia has initiated negotiations to increase the minimum wage in two phases, aiming for the minimum wage to reach a certain amount in euros by the end of the year. The proposal was presented by Finance Minister Siniša Mali, who highlighted that the minimum wage was already increased by 13.7% in January this year. The goal is to reach an agreement on further increasing the minimum wage. Meanwhile, the Serbian Judges Forum is pushing for amendments to the law on judges’ salaries, demanding that the minimum judge’s salary cannot be lower than twice the average salary in Serbia, to ensure the material independence of the judiciary.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning sources emphasize the importance of increasing the minimum wage as a measure to improve living standards and reduce poverty. They highlight the social justice aspect and the need for fair wages for workers, supporting the government’s initiative and calling for even more substantial increases.
Center: Center-leaning sources report the facts of the government’s proposal and negotiations, focusing on the economic rationale and the phased approach to increasing the minimum wage. They present balanced views, including the government’s goals and the judiciary’s demands for salary reforms.
Right: Right-leaning sources tend to emphasize fiscal responsibility and the potential economic impact of raising the minimum wage. They may express concerns about the effects on businesses and employment, while acknowledging the need for judicial salary reforms to maintain judicial independence.
