The government of the resigned Costa approves raising the minimum wage and increases for all civil servants in the midst of a political crisis

The Government of Portugal approved this Thursday the increase in the minimum wage to 820 euros and an update of the salaries of civil servants starting in January 2024, in the midst of a political crisis due to the resignation of the socialist António Costa as prime minister.

The measures, which were already known, were approved by decree law in the Council of Ministers, the Executive reported in a statement.

On the one hand, an increase of 60 euros was approved, up to 820, for the national minimum wage as of January 1, 2024, which had been agreed with employers and unions.. The Government highlighted that this is the “largest increase” in the minimum wage to date, which represents an increase of 7.9%.

A decree law was also approved on salary updates for civil servants, which will be 52 euros for gross monthly salaries of up to 1,807 euros, and 3% for higher salaries, and will come into force in 2024.

The Council of Ministers approved these measures in the midst of the political crisis that opened on Tuesday with the resignation of Costa due to the investigation of a case of alleged corruption, prevarication and influence peddling in lithium and hydrogen businesses.

The president of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, plans to announce this Thursday what path he will follow to get out of the crisis, which could involve dissolving Parliament and calling early elections.