¿Cuáles son los riesgos de aumentar dos cifras al salario mínimo en 2026 como propone el Gobierno? The proposed double-digit minimum wage increase for 2026 is causing concern among employers and potentially for those seeking formal employment, according to Fedesarrollo. While unions propose a 15% rise and the government has floated 11%, productivity figures suggest a more modest increase of 6% to 6.5% is technically desirable to maintain purchasing power without harming formal job creation. If an agreement isn’t reached by December 16th, the government will decree the increase, a situation Fedesarrollo warns could repeat negative employment shifts seen previously.

• Fedesarrollo warns that a proposed double-digit minimum wage increase for 2026 could negatively impact those seeking formal employment.
• Unions are proposing a 15% increase, while the government has suggested 11%.
• Productivity figures for the year were 0.9%, with per-person productivity falling by 0.32%.
• Theoretically, the minimum wage increase should align with inflation (currently 5.5%) plus productivity (0.9%).
• Fedesarrollo suggests a technically desirable range of 6% to 6.5% to maintain purchasing power without harming formal job creation.
• A previous 11% increase in 2025 for the minimum wage (including transport subsidy) reportedly shifted job creation towards informal employment.
• The government aims for a consensus on the minimum wage increase by December 16th; otherwise, it will decree the increase.
• The government’s role as an arbitrator is seen as crucial to balance workers’ purchasing power with job creation concerns.