22 March, 2010Wage agreement for the metal and electronics sector in Slovenia reached after trade unions refused to accept subsistence wages.
SLOVENIA: An agreement for wage increases in the metal and electronics sector in Slovenia was reached on January 14, 2010 after unions refused to accept wages that were less than the "subsistence basket".
IMF affiliate SKEI led a strike on November 13, 2009 demanding an increase of the sectoral minimum wage from €562, which is below the value of the "Subsistence basket". The Association of Slovenian Employers (ZDS) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GSZ) refused to discuss a substantial increase which led to three sector unions, SKEI, SKEM and SKEIE, calling for a new strike on January 13, 2010.
According to a news report on Planet Labor and confirmed by SKEI, the need to strike was averted as the employers reached a draft agreement, which was signed on January 14 and published on February 12, 2010
The agreement for the metal sector provides for:
- A five per cent increase of basic pay for all categories included in the job classification system as of January 1, 2010. In case the increase of the respective wages would endanger job security, the employer and the trade union in the company may, upon the consent of the trade union, decide not to increase wages or to give a lower increase.
- The new sectoral minimum wage to go from €562 to €724.51 gross. Since then, the Minimum Wage Act, which determines national minimum wage (€724.15 gross - €510 after tax), has been enforced.
- Annual paid leave compensation amounting to €750 gross in 2010.
For the electronic industry, the wage increase ranges between 1.54 per cent (mostly for demanding jobs) and up to 7.01 per cent (basic functions), depending on the classification. The parties also agreed that annual paid leave would amount to €750 gross in 2010.
The parties also agreed that the social partners would meet again after the first half of 2010 to evaluate the situation in the sector, look into the implementation of this agreement and what changes may be needed.
In the area of the metal materials and foundry industry, the social partners agreed on a 3.2 per cent wage increase for all professional categories as of January 1, 2010. Minimum wage in the sector amounts to €748.20 gross; consequently, it is higher than the new national minimum wage. The payment for the annual leave for the year shall amount to 760 € gross.