Forget the story that the minimum wage is the only battle! The new president of the Independent Trade Unions of Serbia, Zoran Mihajlović, shatters myths and makes it clear: the priority is not just raising the minimum wage, but all wages in Serbia! Yes, you read that right. While the government boasts a plan to increase the minimum wage twice – first in October by about 9.4%, then in January by an additional 10.1% – the unions warn this is not enough. Inflation is gobbling up these raises like a hungry wolf, and public sector workers are already trembling with fear that their wages will fall to the minimum wage level or just slightly above it.
Mihajlović openly expresses concern about wage compression, meaning many workers, especially in healthcare, education, and communal services, will be trapped in the minimum wage zone. This is not just a problem – it’s a disaster for the working class! The unions demand that wages increase at a pace that does not suffocate wage differences, because if this doesn’t happen, young people will continue fleeing Serbia, leaving the country without quality labor.
To make matters worse, the state plans to cover the cost of the minimum wage increase by raising the non-taxable portion of income, but this means fewer social security contributions and ultimately – lower pensions for future retirees. The union leader calls for awakening and urgent changes in the union movement, as unions are currently weak and insufficiently respected. With only about 30% of workers unionized, Serbia is far below the European average, but Mihajlović promises this will change – with rejuvenation and strengthening of the unions.
If you think this is just another boring wage story, think again. This is a fight for Serbia’s future, for workers’ dignity, and for the survival of the workforce. And you? Do you think the unions will succeed or will the minimum wage remain the only bright spot in a sea of problems? Drop a comment, crack a joke, or just share your thoughts – because this is a topic that can’t be ignored!
