Vieira da Silva leaves the value of the minimum wage in the open – Jornal de Negócios – Portugal

The minister of Labour, Vieira da Silva, stated that “made the proposal” provided for in the Government programme on social dialogue, which points to an increase in the value of the minimum wage of 5% in the next year, to 557 euros, but refused to answer whether it is available to reduce this value. The output of a meeting of the social dialogue, the minister revealed that what seems most likely is that the attempt of this first agreement on the minimum wage – considered “difficult” by the parties – proceed as separate from the negotiation of other matters.

At the end of the meeting of the social dialogue in which, according to Arménio Carlos, “he spoke very and has made little progress”, the secretary-general of the CGTP indicated that Vieira da Silva mentioned the commitment of the Government Program, but that left the question “open”. “There has been limited”, said João Vieira Lopes, the Confederation of Commerce (CCP).

The minister clarified, after which submitted the proposal but, faced with the description of the bosses, and invited to respond if you keep the door open to a relaxation of this value, such as ask the employers, refused to respond. “Not going to answer that question because I have a lot of respect for social dialogue,” he said. The Government presented a proposal” and asked the partners to submit in writing their opinion on the matter, which should happen in the next week. “Let’s get this written document, let us reflect on it,” and the decision will be taken in the next meetings, he added. After the approval of the budget: the next meeting is scheduled for December 19.

The business confederation (CIP) has said that it will not accept the value agreed with the Left Block, while the confederation of Commerce (CCP), which also is not available to accept an agreement with fixed values, you must particularly request that the Government present trade-offs. Asked about the matter, the minister revealed willingness to “create conditions that help the weaker sectors in the economy to better absorb this increase”. And are the partners who must present the proposals suggested. Has not clarified whether it is available to increase the discount of the TSU granted to companies that support the minimum wage increase, from 0.75% to 1%.

For Carlos Silva, of the UGT, and to Vieira Lopes, the CCP, the agreement is “difficult”. But “the characteristic of a negotiation process it is only know if the results when it’s over,” said Vieira da Silva. If there is no agreement, the Government moves forward with the values set out in the Programme of the Government.

minimum Wage separate from other matters

Vieira da Silva also revealed that it is trying to a settlement that involves only the matters related with the minimum wage, leaving the remaining – that is not mentioned, but may cover matters economic, employment, or tax, how to ask the bosses – for once.
“my expectation biggest is that, if we can build an agreement, this will be mainly around the issues of the minimum wage.
The other [issues] will be for after,” said the minister. This Wednesday, Vieira da Silva had already explained that the discussion about matters of labor, for example, will evolve at a slower pace than that of the minimum wage. In the first part of the meeting this Thursday the Government presented a draft of the green book of labour relations, which makes the diagnosis of the situation, but about that little spoke to the exit of the meeting of the social dialogue.

The law says that the Government sets the minimum wage after listening to the social dialogue. It does not say otherwise. But we feel that it is not just to hear but to negotiate. Vieira da Silva
the Minister of employment, Solidarity and Social Security