“The IMF gives the green light to increase wages in the public sector”

Mali told RTS that based on talks the IMF mission held with Serbian President Aleksandar Vui on Wednesday, Serbia received the green light for salary increases in the public sector from January.

“It will not be a percentage like last year, but there will certainly be an increase in salaries in the public sector,” Mali said.

According to him, this is an increase for everyone who works in the public sector, but also in the private sector, because an increase in the minimum wage is an increase in all wages.

“In April, May, we have an average of 540 euros. Let me remind you, in 2012 or 2013, it was 312, if I’m not mistaken. In a couple of months, we will go with the growth of wages,” said Mali.

He also noted that the IMF will confirm today that Serbia is the first in Europe in terms of growth rate until the end of 2020.

The Minister of Finance of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, Sinia Mali, said today that the realized VAT revenue is higher by two billion dinars, relative to the planned projections, announced the Ministry of Finance. .

Thu was the 15th of the month, the day that VAT revenues are received in the budget. Two billion dinars more in revenue than planned shows that our economy is doing well. It is the most objective indicator of the success of an economy and gives us the right to do everything we plan before the end of the year, ”Mali said.

Mali stated that it is certain that there will be an increase in wages in the public sector.

Based on the conversations of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Mission with President Aleksandar Vui, today it will be confirmed that there will be an increase in salaries in the public sector from January 1 of next year. But there won’t be an increase in volume like last year, ”he said as a guest on RTS.

The Minister of Finance recalled that there will be an increase in pensions from January 1 of next year by 5.9 percent, as well as minimum wages by 6.6 percent.

“Now I can say with certainty that there is no country in Europe that the IMF knows about and that will increase salaries, pensions and the minimum wage from January 1 of next year. In addition to increasing wages in the public sector, increasing the minimum wage will also increase wages in the private sector, ”he explained.

He pointed out that according to projections, the average salary is expected to be 540 euros in April or May next year, and recalled that in 2012 the average salary was only 329 euros.

The finance minister said the IMF is expected to announce that Serbia will be the first in Europe in terms of growth rate in 2020.

“We expect them to announce that they have projected growth of minus 1.5 percent for 2020, but we think we can do better.” We estimate that growth would be around zero, which is a great success under the conditions of the corona virus pandemic. “This is a consequence of the difficult reforms initiated by President Vui in 2014, but also of timely reactions to save our economy in crisis,” he said.

He explained that everything possible is being done so that our economy not only survives, but grows even more.

“We fight for the growth of our economy, for investments in the construction of roads, railways, for new jobs. All of this leads to growth. If there is growth, then you have money to increase pensions and wages, “Mali said.

The Finance Minister pointed out that the goal is to further reduce tax evasion.

“That is why we are starting a prize game: accept the account and win, third in line. I invite citizens to participate and bring a tax invoice with each purchase, so that we know that the tax has been paid. It is enough with put ten tax invoices or 10 card payment vouchers in an envelope, individually with a minimum amount of 100 dinars and send it free. The first draw is in November and a promotional campaign will begin soon, “he said.

Mali added that if the tax law is not accepted, we will be deceiving not only the state, but also ourselves.

“It is the fiscal bill which means that taxes have been paid. From that, we are building a hospital, we are building infrastructure, we are increasing salaries and pensions, that way we can set aside money for nice things,” he concluded Mali.