General wage increases in 14 sectors – Liechtenstein
TRIESEN – The Liechtenstein Employees’ Association (LANV) reports a “satisfactory wage round” for 2023. In 14 of the 17 sectors, the LANV was able to negotiate general wage increases. Improvements have also been achieved in the other sectors together with the employers’ representatives.
High inflation, labor shortage, missing and expensive material, uncertain future. These were the parameters for this year’s salary negotiations in Liechtenstein industry.
“The enormous price increases hit poorer households much harder, since they have to spend a much larger proportion of disposable income on housing, energy, transport and food in relation to total income, which can endanger peace,” the LANV stated in a statement on Friday.
Skills are missing everywhere
However, the negotiating position of employees has improved due to the acute shortage of workers. The downside is the greater workload due to the lack of staff. “In order to compensate for the loss of purchasing power and additional burdens and to maintain social peace, we demanded significant wage increases,” said the LANV.
A general cost-of-living adjustment plus additional sector-specific real wage increases had been demanded in all sectors. Particular attention was paid to the high income and the increase in minimum wages, “an indispensability in times of high inflation and a shortage of workers,” according to the LANV.
Conclusion: Satisfied
Ultimately, according to the announcement, agreement was reached on general wage increases in 14 of the 17 sectors. In the other three sectors, at least the wage bills are distributed up to three percent and individually. “We were able to increase the minimum wages by between three and ten percent in twelve sectors. In two sectors, the weekly working hours will be reduced for wages.
The industry is aware that attractive working conditions are necessary in order not to be left behind in the fight for good workers. “We hope that this understanding will last forever,” writes the LANV. In view of the uncertain global political situation, the results are “overall satisfactory”. In the case of lower wages in particular, the drop in wages as a result of inflation could be made up for.