Praia, Sept. 28, 2026 (Lusa) - The Cabo Verdean Government announced on Monday that it plans a gradual increase in the minimum wage, starting in 2028, to reach 30,000 escudos (around €272) by the end of the parliamentary term (2031).
«What is certain is that, from 2028, we will gradually increase the minimum wage. And, by the end of the parliamentary term, we will reach the 30,000 proposed in the Government's programme,» said the Secretary of State for Finance, Maria José Lopes, on the sidelines of a meeting of the statutory tripartite talks between the government, employers and unions in Praia.
The minister explained that, before proceeding with the increase, the Government intends to determine the total number of civil servants.
«The Minister for Public Administration and State Reform said that we do not even know the full number of civil servants we have. We must carry out this review first and then adjust the minimum wage,» she said.
For 2027, one of the Government's priorities will be the implementation of the Career, Role and Remuneration Plans (PCFR), which have already been approved.
«We will pay in 2027 and, from then on, together with our partners, we will assess what we have and what we can do,» she said.
At the meeting with representatives of the government, workers and employers – the government presented the main priorities for drawing up the state budget for 2027.
The Government is forecasting a state budget for 2027 with expenditure in the region of 101.7 billion escudos (around €922 million), prioritising areas such as healthcare, higher education, transport, the implementation of the PCFR and support for families.
Among the measures presented are free healthcare and higher education, a reduction in inter-island sea transport fares to 500 escudos (€4.53) and airfares to 5,000 escudos (€45.39), as well as the implementation of the PCFRs.
The President of the Sotavento Chamber of Commerce, Marcos Rodrigues, said there is a «clear willingness» on the part of the Government to resolve the problems identified by the partners, but considered that the measures will have to be implemented gradually.
«There are many commitments made by the previous government that must now be implemented and which the State must honour; from this perspective, we understand that not everything can be resolved solely through this state budget,» he said.
On the subject of the minimum wage, he noted that the trade unions «have shown patience» and will wait until 2028 for further discussion.
The leader of the Confederation of Free Trade Unions (CCSL), José Manuel Vaz, viewed the outlook presented at the meeting as positive and said there was alignment between the Government, employers and workers on various issues.
«With regard to income and price policies, there is a consensus on increasing the minimum wage, in stages, up to 30,000 escudos,» he stated.
Vaz called for the continued regularisation of employment contracts in the civil service, particularly for workers who have been employed for several years without being granted permanent status.
«We have staff who have been working for five to ten years and are not on permanent contracts, particularly in local councils,» he said.
He also drew attention to the situation facing pensioners with pensions of 15,000 escudos (around €136) – including those who retired between the 1970s and 1990s.
According to Vaz, the partners also addressed the situation of workers who do not receive their wages regularly or under the proper conditions.
In January, the previous government had set up a tripartite committee to prepare for the gradual increase in the national minimum wage to 25,000 escudos (€226) by 2027, involving trade unions and other institutions, including municipalities.
Currently, the minimum wage stands at 17,000 escudos (€154) in the private sector and 19,000 escudos (€172) in the public sector.
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