The salary increases, announced by the government and agreed in the framework of social dialogue, “are not enough” from the point of view of the Portuguese. This discontent is widespread, from the minimum wage to the appreciation of pay in the Civil Service and in the private sector. It is one of the conclusions of the poll that Aximage conducted for DN, TSF and JN. Respondents also find the support of three billion euros to reduce the energy costs of companies insufficient.
In both cases, the views are transversal across all age groups (from the age of majority) and gather supporters from all parties, including those who voted for the Socialist Party in the last parliamentary elections.
Regarding the income agreement signed between the government, the social partners and the private sector, most respondents (65%) guarantee that they have already heard about the measures laid down in the document. However, they are not satisfied with the amounts that have been agreed for the phased increase in the minimum wage, which will rise to 760 euros next year and 900 euros in 2026. More than half of those surveyed say the amounts are “not enough”. while 28% think it is “sufficient” and 6% have no opinion.
CGTP or UGT? 43% don’t know
The nominal wage increase in the private sector is also perceived as insufficient. The income agreement predicts an average increase of 4.8% between 2023 and 2026. For 67% of the respondents, the concept lags behind the desired. Only 24% say it will be “sufficient”. And the majority (71%) do not believe in the companies fulfilling the agreement as early as next year.
The sentiment is comparable to the public sector income agreement, which provides for a wage increase between 2% and 8%. About 65% think it is insufficient and 43% have no opinion about which body best defends the interests of civil servants. The rest is divided: 32% are on the side of the unions associated with UGT, which signed the agreement (53% are over 65), and 25% agree with the CGTP, which rejected the document (31% are between the ages of 50 and 50). and 64 years).
The expectations of the Portuguese, with the entry into force of the income agreement, are not encouraging. Especially since 47% of respondents think the country will be “equal”. Already 28% predict negative changes and only 19% believe in improvements. The scenario is repeated when asked about the prospects for improvement on a personal level as a result of the social dialogue agreement. Most are confident that their earnings will be “the same” in 2023. 17% believe in improvements and 35% predict changes for the worse.
DATA SHEET
The research was carried out by Aximage for the DN, TSF and JN, with the aim of evaluating the opinion of the Portuguese on the Social Consultation and Income Agreement.
The fieldwork took place between 26 and 30 October 2022 and 812 interviews were conducted among people over 18 years old living in Portugal. A quota sample, obtained through a gender, age, and region (NUTSII) cross matrix, was performed from the known universe, rebalanced by gender, age group, and education. For a probability sample of 812 interviews, the maximum standard deviation of a proportion is 0.017 (ie a “margin of error” – at 95% – of 3.44%). Study responsibility: Aximage Comunicação e Imagem, Lda., under the technical direction of Ana Carla Basílio.
Source: DN
