The Workers’ Party has expressed its strong approval of the decisions made during yesterday’s Council of Ministers meeting, particularly those directly impacting the purchasing power of workers, retirees, their families, and unemployed youth.
In a statement released today, the Workers’ Party lauded the decision to increase the minimum wage from 20,000 to 24,000 dinars, effective January 2026, as a positive step. They believe this measure will allow workers in the economic and service sectors to benefit from salary increases, something previously exclusive to public sector employees in recent years.
The party emphasized that this 20% increase in the national minimum wage has the potential to significantly improve the living conditions of millions of workers and their families. However, they stressed that purchasing power extends beyond salaries and requires controlling prices through capping and market regulation.
Furthermore, the Workers’ Party called for consideration of the inflation rate, which often negates the positive effects of salary and pension increases. They reiterated the need for a sliding scale mechanism for wages and pensions to effectively maintain purchasing power.
The party also welcomed the Council of Ministers’ decision to put forward proposals for raising pensions and retirement benefits, which will be studied by the Ministry of Finance and then the Government Council, before a final decision is made by the next Council of Ministers.
The statement added that such a decision would undoubtedly allow millions of retired workers to benefit from the annual increase that was not disbursed in 2025, addressing the legitimate grievances of this large segment of society that contributed to building the nation.
Regarding the increase in unemployment benefits, the Workers’ Party noted that the increase from 15,000 to 18,000 dinars per month for unemployed youth supports the Council of Ministers’ decision to ensure the National Employment Agency fulfills its mandated role effectively. This includes transparently and smoothly guiding job seekers, classifying those integrated into the labor market, and distinguishing them from the unemployed in an updated national database.
The Workers’ Party clarified that unemployment benefits are not an end in themselves but rather a means of social support for unemployed youth and a tool for accurately assessing the state of unemployment in the country.
