Croatian unions demand inflation‑linked wage protection

Representatives of 11 public‑sector unions met with Finance Minister Tomislav Ćorić and Labour Minister Alen Ružić after the government announced an anti‑inflation package that limits wage growth in state employment. The unions criticised the plan, saying it leaves public‑sector salaries vulnerable as real wages fall while other groups see rising purchasing power.

Union leaders proposed a model of automatic wage indexation tied to inflation every six months and called for the reinstatement of a hot‑meal allowance. The government rejected an unconditional rise in the basic wage and a mechanism for automatic adjustments, stating that any future increases will depend on economic conditions and budgetary space. The unions plan to raise the issue again during the autumn collective‑bargaining round scheduled for 2027.