Montenegrin trade unions seek to raise the public-sector salary coefficient value from 90 to 100, citing wage inconsistencies following the ‘Europe Now’ reforms. The government has planned a 3–5% pay increase for next year but says wages must be resolved through a systemic approach by 2025.
Trade unions find this unclear, as their request implies a 10% increase through higher coefficients.
The Employers’ Union expressed general openness to negotiations but warned that increased public spending could harm economic competitiveness. The Foreign Investors Council echoed this concern, noting that €726 million is already allocated to public-sector wages, stressing the need to invest more in competitiveness.
Employers are open to talks but warn that higher public spending could undermine economic competitiveness. The government plans to develop a comprehensive wage framework by mid-year, while unions and employers caution that failure to renew the General Collective Agreement by December 31 could threaten employee rights.
The government plans to develop a detailed framework by July, including a list of occupations and competencies, to address wages more systematically. Meanwhile, unions and employers have warned that the General Collective Agreement expires on December 31, and failure to renew it could jeopardize the rights of employees not covered by it.
