UPDATE: Unions in Montenegro are urging the government to raise public and private sector salaries immediately, as inflation continues to threaten the livelihoods of citizens. Srđa Keković, General Secretary of the Union of Free Trade Unions, confirmed that the Employers’ Union has agreed to increase the calculation value of coefficients to €100 gross.
This urgent demand comes after a meeting of the working group from the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Dialogue, where discussions on the General Collective Agreement were held. The meeting was suspended for further consultations, but Keković emphasized that the need for salary increases cannot wait any longer. “It is high time for this to happen,” he stated.
Minister Naida Nishić expressed surprise at the unions’ initiative to target only the public sector for a ten percent salary increase. However, she remains open to discussions about a comprehensive solution that includes both sectors. “We are ready for cooperation, but analyses must be done first,” Nishić told Pobjeda.
Keković reiterated that the unions are not solely focused on public sector salaries but demand equal treatment for the private sector as well. He warned that the nation is losing its youth due to economic pressures, urging immediate action to preserve living standards.
The unions’ call for a €90 million allocation for salary increases is based on their analysis of the budget, which they argue has sufficient funds. They pointed to rising costs in various areas, including political party funding, which has increased from €10 million to €20 million in just two years.
Moreover, the World Bank has conditioned the Montenegrin government to halt budget growth and limit salary increases. Keković insists that the government should recognize the need to adjust salary calculations to maintain the progress achieved under the “Evropa sad” initiative. “If this adjustment does not happen by January 1, we risk losing all that we have accomplished so far,” he warned.
The unions have threatened to escalate their efforts if the government fails to engage in meaningful dialogue. They are prepared to communicate their demands through public demonstrations if necessary. “There is a clear lack of social dialogue from the government,” Keković asserted.
The Union of Free Trade Unions held a press conference last week to emphasize the urgency of their demands, stating that they have not received adequate responses from the government regarding their initiatives. As inflation continues to rise, citizens are waiting anxiously for a resolution that addresses their needs and secures a better future.
The situation is developing rapidly, and stakeholders are urged to stay tuned for further updates as negotiations continue.
