Yolanda Díaz, Minister of Labor and Social Economy, has turned a deaf ear to the complaints of the employers’ association CEOE and Cepyme about the increase in the minimum interprofessional wage (SMI) to 1,286 euros, with which they criticized her for making this type of decisions without having social dialogue. Both organizations, chaired by Antonio Garamendi and Ángela de Miguel, aimed to use this measure as electoral shuttle by the Executive. Furthermore, the committee experts had recommended 4.9% and the unions’ request was around 7%.
The minister has decided to fly alone and has confirmed that the SMI will rise by 5.3% with retroactive effects from January 2027. Money that will reach the worker “in full” since It is not taxed in personal income tax.
It was in statements to the media to which he had access Europa Press when he pointed out that this is “good news for all workers” that bears the seal of the Government of Spain and that its main purpose is “to compensate for the loss of purchasing power” given the high inflation and rising prices.
“We will continue to raise the minimum wage in Spain because we are going to continue governing until the last minute,” he stressed.
This year, the SMI is 1,221 euros per month
With the 5.3% increase confirmed by the Minister of Labor, the SMI will go from 1,221 euros per month this year to 1,286 euros per month in 14 payments and will be approved, foreseeably “before the end of the year.”
Labor has already released the draft of the Royal Decree in which this increase is contemplated for public hearing so that allegations can be presented until November 16. It must be taken into account that the Government can approve the increase in the SMI both during the electoral campaign and when they are in office.
The working class “must join the strike”
Díaz did not want to miss the opportunity to send a message to the working class to support the general strike that the unions have proposed for this November 11. He has appealed to the good sense of millions of employees who must be in the demonstrations to demand salary improvements, denouncing “very high corporate profits” and in “defense of decent housing.”
UGT demands that political parties clarify whether they will raise the SMI in 2027 after asking the employers that the next Government decide
CEOE and Cepyme explode against Yolanda Díaz for the increase in the minimum wage to 1,286 euros: “it is a political use before the elections”
“The country wants more, the citizens do not want a country, as the PP says, where the SMI is not raised or in which more overtime is done or pensions are not raised confirming the CPI.” That is why he has considered that “it is worth it for people to have hope today” and has called for a high turnout at the polls on 29-N.