ZAGREB, 25 Sept (Hina) – Croatia’s decent monthly wage should amount to €2,025 net, covering costs from food to social life, Mario Iveković, leader of the Novi sindikat (New Union), said on Thursday on the occasion of Decent Wage Day.

A decent wage ensures living costs are met, including food, housing, transport, healthcare and children’s education, Iveković explained at a press conference of the Croatian Coalition for a Decent Wage.

He added that work is ongoing to improve the calculation methodology, and expressed hope that Croatia — the only EU member state with a constitutionally established decent wage — will soon have an official figure. The union’s current calculation is instructive but not binding.

Iveković noted progress: the ratio of the minimum wage to a decent wage has risen from 27% seven to eight years ago to almost 40% today, with further growth expected. By comparison, neighbouring countries remain at 25-30%, even those that joined the EU before Croatia.

He praised the government’s ongoing efforts to raise wages and hopes it will fulfil its pre-election promise of a gross minimum wage of €1,250 by the end of its term.

Marina Palčić, president of the Independent Union of Croatian Workers, added that a decent wage applies to regular working hours, ensures a normal work performance, and allows workers a social life and rest, which is often overlooked.