Rafuna criticises Government for increasing minimum wage: Decision Without Counsel and Without Test

Kosovo Economic Ode Chairman Lulzim Rafuna has criticised the way the Kosovo government has formalised the growth of the minimum wage, saying the decision has been made without consultation with the private sector and without analysis of economic impact.

The government has decided that the minimum wage will rise in two phases during 2026, to 425 gross euros between January and 500 euros from July.

The decision was taken without a consultation and without a preliminary analysis of what impact it will have”, Rafuna for Online Economy has declared, adding that businesses are still waiting for the concrete effects of this measure.

Among other things, he stressed that businesses have faced successive challenges, such as increasing the price of electricity, free market access, political uncertainty and property tax.

Rafuna added that the current growth of the minimum wage “has burdened businesses twice” and will have greater impact on regions outside Pristina, especially on new businesses and start-ups.