Spain’s Ministry of Labour has opened public consultation on a draft decree that would increase the 2027 minimum wage by 5.3%, to €1,286 gross per month. The ministry is beginning the required procedures with the aim of approving the measure before the general election, scheduled for November 29.
The proposed increase is higher than the 4.9% rise recommended by the ministry’s minimum-wage expert committee. The committee linked its recommendation to October’s year-on-year inflation rate, with the stated aim of protecting workers’ purchasing power. Sources from the social dialogue process said the ministry had indicated it wanted an increase somewhat above that level, partly because the minimum wage rose by 3.1% this year while inflation exceeded that figure during part of the period.
Under the draft, the gross daily minimum wage would be €42.87 and the annual amount €18,004. For workers on fixed-term contracts, the proposed minimum would be €60.88 per legal working day. Domestic workers would receive at least €10.06 per hour actually worked.
Labour is moving quickly to approve the increase before the election. Sources involved in social dialogue said the ministry was considering putting it to the Cabinet on November 17, after the general strike planned for November 11. In recent years, minimum-wage increases have been approved at the start of the year, usually in January or February.
Trade unions CCOO and UGT have called for a 7% increase and for a promised reform of how salary supplements are offset against the minimum wage. Employers, meanwhile, have opposed raising the minimum wage at this point, ahead of the general election. Union sources said the government could approve the increase without their support, as the proposed rise falls short of their demand and the reform concerning salary supplements may not be adopted.
Sources: elDiario.es.