Economy-wide minimum wage must be done through a transparent, objective and predictable mechanism, says ACUE

The members of the Federation of Associations of Energy Utility Companies (ACUE) expressed their concern over frequent changes to labor legislation, promoted by the Government over a short time span, insufficiently debated with social partners and without an in-depth analysis of their effects in the economy.

2018-11-26 12:46:11

Measures such as introducing a differentiated minimum wage, with a major impact in the entire economy, must not be hastily adopted, without a real consultation of the business environment and an adequate impact study, according to ACUE.

ACUE asked authorities to establish a mechanism based on transparent and objective criteria for setting the economy-wide minimum wage, which will lead to its predictability. An ample public consultation process for defining such a mechanism was launched last year, but it was unfortunately abandoned without explanations by the competent authorities.

"All sectors of the economy are confronting with an acute lack of labor force, and employers are aware that a higher salary level is an important incentive for occupying a vacancy. This makes us confident that a real dialogue between authorities and social partners will lead to the adoption of durable solutions regarding the pace and level of adjustments to the minimum wage, to the benefit of all employees and employers," said ACUE.

Furthermore, ACUE members requested that authorities urgently launch in public debate new eligibility criteria for granting minimum inclusion incomes together with a reformed system for supporting vulnerable energy consumers. The Government has decided to once again delay, this time for two years, the application of Law 196/2016 on minimum inclusion income, which would institute an improved system for financial support for vulnerable energy consumers.