[Lithuania] Tripartite council begins talks on raising minimum wage

In Lithuania, the Tripartite Council - representing the country’s government, employers, and trade unions - has started discussions on raising the minimum monthly wage to €1,070 before tax from January 2025, LRT reports.

The Bank of Lithuania has proposed raising the minimum wage by 16 per cent from its current rate of €924 next year.

Emilis Ruželė - acting director of the Lithuanian Business Confederation - reportedly said that such a minimum monthly wage would place too much of a burden on businesses.

Speaking to BNS, Mr Ruželė said, “In our opinion, we need more discussions this year, taking into account the fact that there’s the ongoing public discussion on defence funding and tax increases. At least from the initial proposals, we see that most of those taxes would come from businesses. This is an important aspect when it comes to the minimum wage.” 

“Our position is that the minimum wage will naturally increase, and the average wage is also increasing very fast, but we think that the increase could be more modest.”

Inga Ruginienė - chair of the Lithuanian Confederation of Trade Unions - said there will also be discussions on changes to the formula for calculating the minimum wage and increasing the non-taxable income rate.

Earlier this month, Finance Minister Gintarė Skaistė reportedly said the minimum wage could exceed €1,000 in 2025.

Source: LRT

(Quotes via original reporting)

In Lithuania, the Tripartite Council - representing the country’s government, employers, and trade unions - has started discussions on raising the minimum monthly wage to €1,070 before tax from January 2025, LRT reports.

The Bank of Lithuania has proposed raising the minimum wage by 16 per cent from its current rate of €924 next year.

Emilis Ruželė - acting director of the Lithuanian Business Confederation - reportedly said that such a minimum monthly wage would place too much of a burden on businesses.

Speaking to BNS, Mr Ruželė said, “In our opinion, we need more discussions this year, taking into account the fact that there’s the ongoing public discussion on defence funding and tax increases. At least from the initial proposals, we see that most of those taxes would come from businesses. This is an important aspect when it comes to the minimum wage.” 

“Our position is that the minimum wage will naturally increase, and the average wage is also increasing very fast, but we think that the increase could be more modest.”

Inga Ruginienė - chair of the Lithuanian Confederation of Trade Unions - said there will also be discussions on changes to the formula for calculating the minimum wage and increasing the non-taxable income rate.

Earlier this month, Finance Minister Gintarė Skaistė reportedly said the minimum wage could exceed €1,000 in 2025.

Source: LRT

(Quotes via original reporting)