Towards a wage freeze for the next two years? First estimates suggest a virtually zero wage margin

The socialist union FGTB warns of a possible wage freeze. The first figures of the Central Council of the Economy (CCE), which calculates every two years the salary increase possible, underlines that there is "little or no margin" for a salary increase in the next two years. Unacceptable for workers, according to the FGTB. The salary margin would be zero.

Your wages may be stuck in the next two years. The wage margin is estimated at -0.2% according to the first figures of the central council of the economy. Almost zero, this wage margin could therefore limit the increase in gross wages. According to the socialist union FGTB, this should have consequences on purchasing power.

"There is little or no space for a salary increase"explains the union. For the Socialist Union, a wage freeze is unacceptable. The FGTB calls for a sharp increase in purchasing power. "We call on employers to take up their responsibilities and work in consultation with trade unions in search of solutions to improve the purchasing power of workers through the conclusion of agreements at all levels"said the union Wednesday in a statement.

At present, negotiations between the social partners have not started yet. But in case of wage freeze, the socialist union promises "an explosive situation". Of his side, the SCC warns that after all the efforts and after all the triumphalist messages of the government and employers on the good performance of the economy, workers want their share of the pie.

Still too early to say

"We therefore want a correct wage margin for the next interprofessional agreement. People must be able to reap the benefits of their efforts. And if the rigging software that affects, for example, the wage subsidies in the law (of 1996 on the wage standard, which has recently been "modernized", Ed) prevents it, so these bugs must disappear from the law. And for the one who would not take us to serious: a first warning will follow December 14 "warns the Christian union.

We must still be careful. The FEB did not wish to react this Thursday. It is still too early to comment on the wage margin for 2019-2020. This will require the start of the social dialogue next January.