If we get out of this financial and fiscal struggle, we can go beyond salary targets – Economy

2023-07-15 22:00:00

The president of CIP reinforces the commitment with the goals that included in the income and competitiveness agreement for next year: the increase in the minimum wage to 810 euros in January and a benchmark for wage increases of 4.8%.

In an interview with Negócios and Antena 1, Armindo Monteiro, who took office in April, argues, however, that it is possible to go beyond these goals if the Government accepts tax reduction proposals and if companies are able to reduce costs.

“If we manage to get out of this financial, fiscal suffocation we are in, if we manage to reduce energy costs, costs with interest rates, it is possible”. “But it’s an if,” he adds.

Throughout the interview, the president of CIP defends a transversal reduction of the IRS, in particular for the lowest wages, the simplification and expansion of the IRC benefit and also the reduction of VAT on all food products to the reduced rate of 6%.

This proposal on the reduction of VAT on all food products is being discussed only with UGT within the scope of the pact that the president of CIP promised in April to present within 30 days. Armindo Monteiro says that he has not yet spoken to the Government about this proposal.

Initially, the president of the CIP had announced that he was going to talk to the two trade union centrals, but he now explains that the CGTP withdrew from the negotiations “in a cordial way”.

The reference for salary increases (5.1% this year, 4.8% next year) also conditions the IRC incentive and the updating of the IRS scales.

“VAT Zero” is in effect until October and applies to a series of food products that the Government has considered essential.