Government initiates dialogue for new minimum wages in 2026

The Labor Advisory Committee (CCT) met this Monday, March 23, under the direction of the Minister of Labor, Gender and Social Action, Ivete Alane, with the objective of evaluating the economic and social performance recorded throughout 2025. The meeting marks the beginning of the discussion process for defining the minimum wages to be in effect in 2026.

The negotiation process involves representatives from employers and unions, with the government acting as a mediator, ensuring balance and promoting dialogue between the parties.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Labor, Gender and Social Action, salary adjustment proposals will be presented by sector of activity within the next 30 days. These proposals will then be analyzed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement and submitted to the Government for final approval.

In 2025, wage increases ranged from 49.41 Meticais to 1,162.29 Meticais. The smallest adjustment, corresponding to 1%, was recorded in the kapenta fishing sector, an activity carried out in the Cahora Bassa reservoir, which has faced challenges due to the scarcity of the resource.

On the other hand, the financial services sector stood out with the largest salary increase. Bank and insurance workers benefited from an increase of 1,162.29 Meticais, while in microfinance and microinsurance companies the increase was 1,023.18 Meticais.

Other sectors also recorded salary updates, namely agriculture, extractive industry, manufacturing, baking, tourism, among others, reflecting the diversity of adjustments made based on the economic dynamics of each area.

The debate that has now begun should culminate in the definition of the new minimum wages for 2026, in a context where the aim is to reconcile the purchasing power of workers with the sustainability of companies.