The President of the Construction Workers' Union of Croatia, Jasenka Vukšić, pointed out on the program 'U mreži Prvog' that the increase of the minimum wage to 1,050 euros gross, which the Government plans from the beginning of 2026, is not enough for a dignified life.

She warned that in Croatia today around 150 thousand people receive the minimum wage, while an additional 350 thousand have only 20 to 30 euros more. According to her words spoken on the HRT program 'U mreži Prvog', this means that almost half a million employees live on the edge of existence, which clearly shows how much the cost of living has moved away from workers' incomes.

Vukšić recalled that the unions had requested that the minimum gross wage be increased to 1,130 euros, but the Government remained with its decision on the amount of 1,050 euros. She believes that this is “too modest” and that when determining the minimum wage, more account must be taken of the real cost of living and the growth of employers' profits.

“Entrepreneurs' profits from 2019 to 2024 increased by 112 percent, while the minimum wage in the same period rose by 69 percent, and the net wage by only 54 percent. It is clear that there is room for a larger increase,” she pointed out.

According to the unions' estimate, the minimum gross wage in Croatia should reach 1,550 euros by 2028 so that workers can cover basic living needs and so that it aligns with rising prices and inflation. “Our message is simple: whoever works must be able to live from their work,” Vukšić concluded.