The Government of Kosovo, which is led by the Vetëvendosje Movement, made a decision to increase wages from January 1 of this year by 55 euros, while from July 1 there will be an additional increase of another 55 euros.
The government was criticized for taking the action because of the elections, but almost all the political subjects in the competition have already given promises for salary increases, writes A2. The Democratic Party promises a salary increase of up to 50% for public sector workers, while the Democratic League of Kosovo promises an increase in the value of the coefficient to the extent of 150 euros, from the current 110.
Blendi Hasaj, from the GAP Institute, told A2: "The increase in salaries would necessarily have to be in line with the country's economic growth, and this is also defined in the Law on Public Finance in general, and each of these promises foresees an increase in salaries as early as in the first year for more than 10, 20 or 30% is contrary to this basic law that regulates public finances".
Fiona Bunjaku, from Lévizja Fol, stated: "It is really unstable in practice and unrealizable, so we can say that these promises continue to be only promises on paper, empty promises, which we have constantly seen from each political party."
In the eyes of economists, the race to raise wages is not healthy, so they suggest focusing on other sectors such as capital investment. Unfounded wage increases may also worry international financial institutions.
"Increasing expenditures in these categories of flows, I believe, would have a negative impact on the macrofiscal stability we have and would create problems in that area as well, and it is not at all welcome to see the parties competing over which one will spend more on some categories only in the context of how to easily convince citizens to vote for them", added Hasaj.
Promises to raise wages have an impact on a large number of employees who receive salaries from the state budget, such as teachers, doctors, police officers or soldiers, which is why it is also a promise that is made in every election.
"We have seen the promises that are constantly repeated regarding salary increases in every campaign that the parties have developed, they are promises that are not well based on the law and are not well based on practices on how to salary increase will happen", said Bunjaku.
The election campaign in Kosovo will last until February 8, while the 9th will be the day when voters go to the ballot boxes. (A2 Televizion)
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