CEOE and CEPYME have expressed strong opposition to the proposed increase in the minimum interprofessional wage (SMI) by the Ministry of Labour, which aims for a 5.3% rise to reach €18,004 annually by 2027. They argue that this move is a politically motivated use of legislative power just before the upcoming general elections.
The Ministry convened social partners on Wednesday to present a report prepared by experts on the SMI, which had previously been leaked to the media. However, no proposals were made during this meeting, and later that evening, the Ministry announced the 5.3% increase, which was also reported by the press.
With the general election campaign set to begin on 29 November, CEOE and CEPYME believe it would be more appropriate to defer this decision to the newly elected government, regardless of its political affiliation, and to implement it before the end of 2026, allowing for more accurate economic indicators in a climate of uncertainty.
They argue that acting with institutional loyalty and waiting for the electoral outcome would allow for a more informed decision based on technical data. CEOE and CEPYME emphasise that improving the incomes of the lowest earners should be a shared goal that aligns with job creation, company competitiveness, productivity, and the proper functioning of collective bargaining.
Furthermore, they warn that such decisions particularly impact small businesses and labour-intensive sectors, as well as families needing to hire care services to pursue their professional activities, who will face increased costs above the inflation rate.
It is particularly surprising, they note, that the government is pushing for wage increases while failing to resolve the update of public contracts for nearly a decade, which would allow contracting companies to pass on these higher labour costs.
CEOE and CEPYME reaffirm their commitment to improving salaries but reject the political exploitation of this issue. They call for any decision to be made through genuine social dialogue, based on objective economic criteria and considering the implications for employment, businesses, and families. They urge the incoming government to negotiate the SMI update starting in December.
