SHEILLA RIBEIRO
Africa-Press – Cape verde. From the end of this month, a change in the salaries of Cape Verdean workers will come into force, driven by the income and price policy in the State Budget for 2024.
With the increase in the minimum wage in the Public Service from 15 thousand escudos to 16 thousand escudos and in the private sector from 14 thousand escudos to 15 thousand escudos, employers are faced with the need to pay another thousand escudos to retain their employees. While some celebrate this change as a positive step forward, others highlight the challenges that may arise during the implementation of this new salary level.
Following the announcement of the increase in the minimum wage, workers from different sectors revealed, to Expresso das Ilhas, their experiences regarding salary changes.
Ana (fictitious name), who works as a maid, currently earns ten thousand escudos with her boss. Although her salary does not reach the old, much less the new minimum, Ana says she accepts this amount due to the difficulties in finding constant work.
“I enter at 9 am and leave at 7 pm from Monday to Saturday. There aren’t many job offers and I have to accept what comes my way. Despite not having a contract, I hope my boss will increase my salary with the new minimum. At least a thousand shields more,” she says.
David (fictitious name) works from 8am to 4pm as a security guard. This worker receives 17 thousand escudos per month, slightly above the minimum wage, which is why he believes he will not receive any increase in the near future.
“Salaries must increase, regardless of the minimum wage. I have many colleagues who earn minimum wage and others who don’t even earn the minimum wage. Kau is bad , companies should be a little more sensitive to the situation of workers”, he points out.
In fact, David mentions the lack of compliance with the Indicative Reference Prices (PIR) in some jobs, criticizing the inaction of the unions and the General Directorate of Labor.
More than just focusing on the minimum wage, the watchdog highlights the need for a more comprehensive review of working conditions and company practices and suggests a more proactive approach on the part of authorities.
Despite recognizing that workers’ complaints are generally responded to, David highlights the importance of improving working conditions, especially for night watchmen.
“The night watchmen should be earning at least 20 or 25 thousand shields. But that’s not what happens, the watchdog can only earn 20 or more if it’s with a bonus. In fact, they should not only have a better salary, but be rewarded with consultations, through partnerships, with some clinics”, he considers.
According to this interviewee, night work can have impacts on workers’ health, from stomach problems due to poor diet to sleep disorders.
In turn, Maria (fictitious name) reveals that she receives the minimum wage of 15 thousand escudos and says she is happy with the increase to 16 thousand escudos.
“A thousand shields difference isn’t much, but it’s better than nothing. Two thousand escudos would be even better, considering the increase in product prices”, he highlights.
Concerns among employers
Hamilton Gomes, an employer with a team of 10 employees, states that the value of the current minimum wage has been applied for a long time and that many private sectors no longer pay just 14 thousand escudos.
“Most companies already pay 15 thousand escudos or even more and even give some bonuses to employees as a way of maintaining them, because all workers want to go to Europe. 15 thousand escudos has not been a decent salary for workers in Cape Verde for a long time. In restaurants, for example, if the employer does not pay between 22 and 25 thousand escudos, no one agrees to work. If you accept, it’s because you’re not someone trained in the area,” she assures.
Hamilton Gomes says that currently all his employees earn 20 thousand escudos, in addition to the other benefits defined under the law, which is why he justifies not being able to increase the amount he currently pays.
“There are few companies that still pay the minimum wage of 14 thousand escudos. I would even say that domestic workers are the ones who received the most this amount”, he adds.
For this employer, there is a lack of a professional card that would allow knowing the worker’s history and facilitating the recruitment process.
“There are many workers in vulnerable situations who are unaware of the reporting lines. Others don’t report it because we don’t have a hotline, or an independent organization to monitor and enforce the payment of the minimum wage. As long as we have the General Labor Inspectorate and the General Directorate of Labor under the supervision of a Ministry of Labor, it will be difficult to carry out inspections and obtain results”, I assumed.
Expresso das Ilhas also heard from Ariana Pereira, owner of a kindergarten in Ponta D’Água, city of Praia. Although she considers a salary increase to be fair, Pereira states that the proposed amount is still insufficient to cover workers’ basic needs.
“I think it’s not enough because 15 thousand escudos to live on makes you think. It is little for the current cost of living, for basic needs. Food, water, electricity, it’s not worth it,” she says.
Ariana argues that she understands the importance of improving salary conditions, but there are companies, like hers, that face specific challenges. In the case of your kindergarten, the monitors go beyond their duties, contributing to the preparation of the children’s meals to avoid hiring more staff.
“In my case, it will affect my accounts because here in my space the monitors do more than what is their job. So, even with the previous minimum wage, every month I managed to add something more than I was already paying,” she explains.
As he highlights, to maintain employee motivation, he does not intend to stop paying bonuses. However, given the new expenses, Ariana plans to study alternatives and strategies to deal with the salary increase.
“We have to charge a price below the market so that people can pay, we apply the price according to the conditions of each family”, he specifies, adding that he faces the additional challenge of operating in a neighborhood where the majority of families face financial difficulties.
The businesswoman intends to involve parents in the process, making them aware of the difficulties faced and discussing the possibility of an increase in monthly fees.
“We have to talk to parents and I hope they will understand if we choose to increase the monthly fee. Otherwise, I will hardly continue paying bonuses to my employees,” she admits.
“I don’t want unmotivated workers. For me, in any institution, the biggest investment is human resources, which must be motivated and willing to work”, he concludes.
IGT
According to the Inspector General of Labor (IGT), Anildo Fortes, the institution has informed workers, employers and citizens in general about the increase in minimum wages, highlighting the importance of everyone being aware of the new regulations.
This is because, he continues, despite publication in the Official Bulletin, not everyone has access to this source and, therefore, they are using social media, social networks, radio and television to disseminate information.
“The issue of the minimum wage is part of the items on our visit sheets, therefore, it is something commonplace. We will wait until the end of the month, when companies start paying the first salary, this year with this new change, to start our inspection visits focusing also on the issue of the minimum wage, without neglecting other items”.
“In particular, compliance with social security obligations, the issue of working hours, the issue of personal protective equipment, vacations, compulsory occupational accident insurance, which is a relatively new diploma”, he explains.
Anildo Fortes recognizes, however, the complexity of inspections regarding domestic workers, due to the specific environment in which they work.
In addition to domestic workers, Fortes highlights the need for regulation in the construction sector, aiming to reduce informality and improve working conditions.
Regarding complaints received, the Inspector General of Labor mentions a variety of issues, including non-payment of INPS, non-payment of overtime and problems related to personal protective equipment.
Fortes explains that, although at the beginning of the application of this law there were many cases of non-compliance with the minimum wage, currently, these cases are sporadic.
In this sense, it encourages workers to report any violation, reiterating the importance of calling the toll-free line (82727) to request information and request intervention.
Domestic workers
For the president of the National Union of Commerce, Domestic and Service Workers, Ângela Lopes, the increase in the minimum wage is a significant step that should have been achieved a long time ago.
As he notes, after several crises that negatively impacted the situation of workers, this increase in the minimum wage is a reasonable and timely measure. However, he emphasizes that the real challenge will be in the effective fulfillment of this value by employers.
“It is a reasonable increase that will positively affect the lives of domestic workers, providing important support. However, the problem lies in complying with the payment of the minimum wage, representing an additional challenge for domestic workers”, he emphasizes.
The union leader highlights that historically many employers did not even comply with the previous minimum wage, making compliance with the new value an even greater challenge.
In this sense, it warns of the risk of some domestic workers losing their jobs, given the unfavorable context for both employers and employees.
According to Ângela Lopes, there is a diversity of situations among domestic workers, from those who already receive the minimum wage stipulated by law to those who, on a part-time basis, receive lower amounts.
In addition to the increase in the minimum wage, the president of that Union highlights other challenges faced by the class, such as social security discounts, abusive dismissals and delays in salary payments, highlighting the need for employers to be empathetic and comply with what has been established.
The union calls on employers to consider the vulnerabilities of the working class and understand that the minimum wage is a crucial support that will relieve many workers from difficult situations.
In case of non-compliance with the payment of the new minimum wage, the union reaffirms its commitment to listening, advising and guiding workers, aiming to ensure that their rights are respected and preserved.
expressodasilhas
For More News And Analysis About Cape verde Follow Africa-Press
