The Cabo Verdean government announced on Monday that it plans a gradual increase in the minimum wage beginning in 2028, with the target of reaching approximately €272 by the end of the current legislative term in 2031.
“The guarantee that stands is that, from 2028, we will increase the minimum wage gradually. And, by the end of the legislative term, we will reach the 30,000 escudos proposed in the government programme,” said Secretary of State for Finance Maria José Lopes, speaking on the sidelines of a Social Concertation Council meeting in Praia.
The minister explained that before proceeding with any increase, the government intends to establish the total number of civil servants in the public administration. “The Minister for State Administration and Reform stated that we do not even know the total number of employees we have in the public service. We need to carry out this survey first and then adjust the minimum wage,” she said.
For 2027, one of the government’s priorities will be the implementation of the already-approved Career, Functions and Remuneration Plans (PCFR). “We will pay in 2027 and, from there, together with partners, we will assess what we have and what we can do,” she added.
At the meeting with social partners — representatives of the executive, workers, and employers — the government presented its main priorities for the preparation of the 2027 State Budget. The executive projects expenditure of approximately €922 million, with priority areas including health, higher education, transport, implementation of the PCFR, and family support.
Among the measures presented are free healthcare and higher education, a reduction in maritime transport tariffs between islands to €4.53, and inter-island air fares to €45.39, as well as the implementation of the Career, Functions and Remuneration Plans.
The president of the Sotavento Chamber of Commerce, Marcos Rodrigues, said there was a “clear willingness” on the part of the government to address the issues raised by social partners, but cautioned that the measures would need to be implemented gradually.
“There are many commitments made by the previous executive that now need to be implemented and assumed by the state, and from that perspective, we understand that not everything can be resolved solely through this State Budget,” he said. On the minimum wage, he noted that trade unions “have shown patience” and will wait until 2028 for renewed discussions.
The president of the Cabo Verdean Confederation of Free Trade Unions (CCSL), José Manuel Vaz, described the outlook presented at the meeting as positive and confirmed that the government, employers, and workers are aligned on several issues.
José Manuel Vaz also called for the continued regularisation of employment contracts in the public administration, particularly for workers who have remained outside the official staffing rolls for several years.
Currently, the minimum wage stands at €154 in the private sector and €172 in the public administration.
In January, the previous government had established a tripartite commission to prepare for a gradual increase in the national minimum wage to €226 by 2027, involving trade unions and other institutions, including municipalities.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=548201
