The minimum wage in the world, at the beginning of the year. Where is the Republic of Moldova located?
At the opposite pole are Nigeria – with only 68 dollars, Uzbekistan – with 72 dollars, India – with 95 dollars, Pakistan – with 111, Kazakhstan – with 131 and Armenia – with 138 dollars.
The minimum wage per economy in the Republic of Moldova calculated by those from Picodi is 180 dollars (gross it is 210 dollars), basically at the same level as Belarus – 189, Azerbaijan – 186 and Indonesia – 173 dollars.
The Chisinau government decided at the end of last year that the minimum gross salary guaranteed in payment should be increased, starting on January 1, 2023, to 4,000 lei, although the unions were asking for 5,000 lei.
In November 2022, Marcel Spatari, Minister of Labor and Social Protection, claims that the increase of the minimum wage per country up to 5,000 lei could be possible in two steps, for example from January 1 – 4,000 lei and the revision of this amount by July 1.
However, the Ministry of Finance categorically opposed such a step. This time would have required the identification of money resources to be able to cover the costs of these increases.
According to the calculations made by the Ministry of Finance, for the year 2023, an additional 285 million lei will be allocated from the state budget, necessary to pay the increased minimum wage for employment in the budget sector, with the exception of public authorities and institutions under self-management.
A possible increase in the minimum wage to 5,000 lei would require about 700 million lei.