Economist Gonzalo Bernardos has expressed his opinion on the current situation of the minimum wage in Spain and the need for coherent policies that prioritize the well-being of working families. He emphasized that the right to a minimum amount for work is enshrined in the Constitution and mentioned that the increases in the Interprofessional Minimum Wage (SMI) in recent years have been appropriate to improve the purchasing power of workers with lower wages.
In an intervention on La Sexta Xplica, Bernardos stated that the lack of a minimum wage at the present time seems outrageous to him, but he also acknowledged that these increases are essential to reduce inequality and protect the most vulnerable workers. However, he expressed his concern about what he considers "traps" in the management of the SMI by the Government.
The commission of experts on the minimum wage is considering a possible 4% increase for 2025, which would raise the SMI to 1,180 euros. The experts agree to use the Quarterly Labor Cost Survey to determine the increase in the SMI for the coming year, which would place the increase around 4%.
The debate over the SMI in Spain is complex and presents differences among political parties. While those on the left advocate for significant increases in the minimum wage, conservatives tend to limit it to favor business competitiveness. Bernardos warned about the possible negative effects of an excessive increase in the SMI in a context of high inflation, such as loss of competitiveness and reduction in job creation.
The current situation of the SMI in Spain has generated criticism and concerns in various sectors, especially after the fall of the omnibus decree in Parliament, which has left a legal vacuum in the SMI. In this regard, Bernardos pointed out that the real impact of the proposed increase in the minimum wage could see its effect reduced if the minimum exempt from the Personal Income Tax (IRPF) is not adjusted. This could result in a smaller salary increase for workers, especially those with lower incomes.
Bernardos criticized the apparent contradiction in the Government's policies by offering a wage increase while affecting the tax burden of the most vulnerable workers. He highlighted that the cost of improving the quality of life for families should not fall on those with lower incomes, but on those who earn more. This debate over the SMI in Spain is not new and has always been influenced by the political color of the Government, as Bernardos pointed out in a recent column.
