Díaz convenes the committee of minimum wage experts to guide the 2026 increase.
The Spanish government approves the urgent processing of the reinforcement of the time recording system
Madrid"After the summer, we will continue to increase the minimum wage." In August, Second Vice President and Minister of Labor, Yolanda Díaz, already outlined what plan she wanted to open before the end of the year, and this Wednesday she takes a step forward to make that happen. Díaz has convened the committee of experts on the minimum wage (SMI) to kick off the technical work to propose how much this minimum wage should increase in 2026, which currently stands at €1,184 gross per month.
The committee of experts is responsible for advising the Spanish government on the increase in the SMI. It includes members of the executive branch, social stakeholders, and academic professionals. It was established in 2021 to determine how the SMI should be increased to translate into 60% of the average wage, as established by the European Social Charter.
The 50 euro increase in 2025, which left the SMI at 1,184 euros gross per month in 14 payments, it was agreed with CCOO and UGT, but without the Spanish employers' association CEOE. In fact, in parallel with the committee of experts, Díaz will also convene the social partners. These parties are not only intended to address an increase, but also the transposition of the minimum wage directive, which should ensure that those receiving this benefit are not affected by the salary supplements included in their paychecks, which unions have denounced as in some cases absorbing and therefore diluting the increase.
But beyond social dialogue,Díaz will have to speak with the Ministry of Economy, who has always been cautious in advocating for significant increases. Since 2018, when Pedro Sánchez took office, the minimum wage has increased by 61%. The latest increase benefited approximately 2.4 million workers.
The processing of time registration is being accelerated.
After the failure of the reduction of the working day to 37.5 hours a week –the PP, Vox and Junts defeated the reform in the Congress of Deputies.–, the Ministry of Labor's flagship measure this term, a new increase in the minimum wage could provide a boost to Díaz and her team's agenda. In this regard, the Spanish government, at the proposal of the Ministry of Labor, has just approved the urgent processing of the reinforcement of the time recording system. This will expedite the process so that the regulatory change can soon be implemented.
