Spain set to Increase Minimum Wage 8%

Spain set to Increase Minimum Wage 8%

With the minimum wage rising means that spain is

getting financially stronger

The impact that the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) had on Parliament was shown last week when it was announced that the new PP government planned to introduce an 8% rise in minimum wage; which is the largest increase in 30 years for working and living in Spain.

The PSOE relinquished their claim to the government to the PP earlier in the year due to their increased influence on parliament and now they have already won their first major victory as the opposition, putting together a deal for greater financial protection to the poorest Spanish workers.

This increase would lead to an increase in the minimum monthly salary from €655.29 to €707.60, and comes after the pre-election manifesto pledge the PSOE made declaring that they would increase the minimum wage if they were in power.

The party managed to convince the government that there should a deficit target of 0.6% of GDP placed on regional governments, which is likely to free up millions of euros that could be used for social welfare instead.

These policy changes show not just how the PP of Spain will need to collaborative and even acquiesce on certain issues, but also make for an excellent reminder to disheartened PSOE voters that their party is still has the influence to affect matters they care about.

When the PSOE announced they would step aside at the last congressional vote they effectively handed the seat of power to their opposition and it left a rift in the party. Now it looks like the PSOE is eager to show that they still hold some power when it comes to making decisions.

The spokesman for employment issues with the PSOE Rafael Simancas said that the party is ready to get the most out of their strength in parliament, whether through making deals with the current government or grouping together with other opposing parties to create an alternative majority.

There are many people in the party who are against the PP and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, which tells the PSOE that they need to put their money where their mouth is and be the opposition when they need to be. They are also being closely observed by the Podemos party; a fellow left-leaning party with some seats and voting power in Parliament.