Print Magazine
Brussels Morning Newspaper
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • About Us
  • EU institutions
    • Commission
    • Parliament
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
Brussels Morning Newspaper
  • Home
    • About Us
  • EU institutions
    • Commission
    • Parliament
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
Brussels Morning Newspaper
No Result
View All Result
Home Economy

Spain ups minimum wage to 965 euro monthly in bid to close gender wage gap

Tom Canetti by Tom Canetti
29 September 2021
in Economy
Spain ups minimum wage to 965 euro monthly in bid to close gender wage gap
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

(Brussels Morning)The Spanish government raised the minimum inter-professional wage (SMI) on Wednesday by 15 euro, bringing the monthly minimum wage up to 965 euro. Yolanda Diaz, the VIce President and Minister for Labour and Social Economy, said the initiative will help tackle the gender wage gap and help the country’s most vulnerable workers. 

“The increase in the inter-professional minimum wage has meant that our country reduces the gender gap by two points and has meant that the lowest salary profiles, substantially women and young people, see their salary incomes improved.” 

Diaz descried the move as “a firm commitment to get out of the crisis in better conditions, but also to improve the entire economy in our country”.

A leading member of Podemos—the left populist party governing Spain in a coalition with the socialists, PSOE — Diaz said the increased SMI would help Spain’s economy as a whole.

“We get out of this crisis by not lowering wages, but we are showing that we are raising wages. And raising wages is not only part of social protection measures as indicated by the Bank of Spain, but also lies in the firm conviction of economic efficiency and the proper functioning of the economy of our country.” 

The Council of Ministers approved the Labour and Social Economy Ministry’s proposal after reaching an agreement with the Trade Union Organizations Workers’ Commissions (CCOO) and the Workers’ General Union (UGT). The 15 euro rise had been recommended by the Advisory Commission for the Analysis of the Minimum Inter-professional Wage.

The Spanish government aims to increase the SMI progressively so that it reaches 60% of the average salary before the end of its term.

“A feminist measure”

Minister for Equality Irene Montero described the approval as a “feminist measure”, noting that job insecurity “has the face of a woman and increasing lower wages is vital to closing the wage gap and improving working conditions.” She said it was the path to follow “for 2022 as well”.

The Far-right party Vox said they support raising the minimum wage as long as it reduces welfare contributions and cuts taxes. “Of course we are in favour of raising lower wages whenever it is at the cost of reducing high social contributions and taxes on economic activity”, Vox leader Santiago Abascal tweeted.

The conservative party Partido Popular (PP) opposed the leftist coalition government’s decision. Party Secretary General Teodoro García Egea claimed that Prime Minister Sánchez “is harming all citizens and, in addition to raising taxes, is raising their cost of living.” 

He contended that “anything other than lowering the shopping basket, the price of electricity and inflation is a patch that does not help families.” 

Spain’s minimum wage has risen 31% since 2019. That amounts to a 229 euro increase per month in salary. The raise fulfills the country’s commitment to the European Social Charter signed in 2019. 

Tags: Main-SliderOpinion section
Follow Brussels Morning
Facebook Twitter Youtube Linkedin

About Us

Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.

More Info

  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Cookie Policy
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ
  • Jobs

Categories

  • Belgium News
  • Brussels
  • Culture and Society
  • Economy
  • EU Institutions
  • Commission
  • Council
  • Parliament
  • Europe
  • Features
  • Health & Fitness
  • In Depth
  • Ambassador’s Corner
  • Europe With Transparency
  • Place de la Bourse
  • Southeast Europe
  • Sustainable Perspective
  • The American Angle
  • The Macro-Economist
  • Member States
  • Opinion
  • Our pick
  • Uncategorised
  • World
  • Diplomacy
  • Middle East Eye
  • US Elections
  • Join Our Newsletter

    Brussels Morning Newspaper – All Rights Reserved © 2020

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Brussels Bubble
      • Parliament
      • Commission
      • Council
    • Wider Europe
      • Member States
    • World
    • Business & Society
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Culture & Society
    • Policy Talks
      • Place de la Bourse
      • The Macro-Economist
      • Sustainable Perspective
      • Ambassador’s Corner
      • The American Angle
      • Southeast Europe
    • Print Magazine

    Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT