Minimum wage

When increases in the minimum wage are determined based on the evolution of productivity and employment, a high minimum wage reflects—in the long-term—the good health of the economy, competition in its markets, its productive capacity and a high standard of living.

Last December an increase of 20% was announced for minimum wages for this year. This will obviously mean an increase in the standard of living of those workers who perceive it: about a million people, according to the National Survey of Occupation and Employment (ENOE).

In the last two years the minimum wage has had significant increases: 10% in 2018 and 16% this year. However, these figures must be put in context. From 1980 to 2018 the real minimum wage lost just over 60% of its value.

A week ago, BBVA Research revised its GDP growth forecast for 2019 upward one tenth to 2.3%, twice as much as in the eurozone. Days later, the IMF did the same and its forecast was also raised to 2.3%.

El incremento del 8% del salario mínimo interprofesional en 2017, desvinculado de la evolución de la productividad, tendrá un impacto negativo en la actividad económica. Sin embargo, dada su escasa cobertura, las repercusiones serán moderadas. No obstante, las consecuencias podrían ser relevantes si el aumento salarial se extiende al resto de trabajadores

It would not be advisable to raise the minimum wage until better mechanisms for combating informal employment are in place