The CIP – Confederação Empresarial de Portugal did the math and concluded that increasing the national minimum wage to 820 euros plus salary increases with a reference of 5% would cost companies 4,725 million euros. This is 299 million more than if the objectives agreed a year ago in the social consultation were maintained, which pointed to a minimum wage of 810 euros and a reference salary appreciation of 4.8%.
The accounts are from the CIP and were presented at a press conference, in which Armindo Monteiro explained what led the Confederation not to sign the reinforcement of the rental agreement.
In exchange for these increases in company costs, the Government, the president of the CIP assumed, gave little. It reduced regional taxes, amounting to 35 million euros, in addition to tax incentives for salary increases of 150 million euros. But despite the changes to this incentive, the CIP believes that its design still does not allow significant resources to be provided for its support.
That is, according to CIP accounts, companies “give” 4,725 million and the State corresponds with 185 million euros.
“We agree that it should increase [o salário], but what the economy needs is for it to be sustainable. It may be sustainable, as long as there are measures. Nothing happened in other pillars.” Armindo Monteiro reinforces the relevance of supporting investment.
In the Social Pact proposed by the CIP, made up of 30 measures, Armindo Monteiro does not hide that there are seven more prioritized and one of them is what the CIP called Tax Credit for Competitiveness and Employment (CFCE), in which it costs Investments, salary appreciation and reinforcement of assets are deducted from the collection. The CIP hoped that the Government would go even further from the IRS Jovem, with an exemption for incomes of up to 100 thousand euros and for young people up to 35 years old. And he talks again about the 15th month, exempt from the IRS and social security.
These measures were not included in the agreement and, therefore, the CIP did not sign it. But now it admits that if the State Budget for 2024 is modified to provide for some of them, the CIP admits to reviewing the agreement, that is, even if it is not a signatory it will move towards its practical application. Until then, he feels not obligated to comply and does not face any amounts for salary increases in 2024.
The CIP still hopes to see proposals incorporated into the Budget for 2024. Until then “we are relieved” of the 5% salary increase
Source: Observadora
