Croatia to begin public sector wage negotiations

Negotiations between the Croatian government and public service unions regarding the Basic Collective Agreement are scheduled to begin on Monday, October 19. The talks will focus on determining base salary levels, material rights, and inflation adjustments.

Matija Kroflin, Secretary General of the Independent Union of Science and Higher Education, noted that while the economy shows growth, real wages for workers are falling. He criticized previous government offers as unacceptable and highlighted the discrepancy between the 10 percent average wage growth in the economy and the low increases previously proposed for public employees.

Minister of Labor, Pension System, Family and Social Policy Alen Ružić stated that the government has appointed a negotiating committee. While the government aims to reach a minimum gross salary of 1,250 euros by 2028, Ružić emphasized the need to balance union demands with budgetary constraints, including the funding of healthcare and emergency services. Key union demands include increasing the salary base and addressing compensation for warm meals.