Department of Labor: Minimum wage violations reduced by 67 percent

Jutarnji listIndependentCenter4 hr. ago

The Ministry of Labor, in collaboration with the Tax Administration and the State Inspectorate, has significantly reduced the number of workers earning below the legal minimum wage by 67% within just over a year. This achievement was made possible through data integration and targeted inspections, particularly in sectors with high labor demand such as construction and tourism. Minister Alen Ružić emphasized that these measures ensure workers receive legally mandated wages protected by collective agreements. State Inspector Ivan Vidiš noted that the new system allows institutions to monitor compliance in real-time, identify risky employers, and conduct focused checks. Employers are first warned to correct violations, and if they fail, deeper inspections and penalties follow. The minimum gross salary increased from 970 euros in 2025 to 1050 euros in 2026. As of June 2026, only 5,164 workers received salaries below the legal threshold, down from 15,993 in March 2025. Vidiš highlighted the preventive approach and the deterrent effect of these measures, while stressing that fines are not the immediate goal but rather education and correction. The ministry continues to oversee the proper

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual update on government actions regarding labor rights enforcement without overtly promoting any ideological stance. It reports on collaborative efforts between state agencies, quotes officials neutrally, and provides statistical outcomes without emphasizing partisan gain

HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija)State / PublicCenter5 hr. ago

The Croatian Ministry of Labor, in collaboration with the Tax Administration and the State Inspectorate, has significantly reduced violations of the minimum wage by 67% within just over a year. This success was achieved through data integration and targeted inspections, particularly in sectors with high labor demand such as construction and tourism. The number of workers receiving wages below the legal minimum dropped from 15,993 in March 2025 to 5,164 in June 2026. Minister Alen Ružić emphasized that these measures ensure workers receive legally guaranteed wages as per collective agreements. State Inspector General Ivan Vidiš noted that the new system allows institutions to monitor compliance in real-time, identify risky employers, and conduct focused checks. While penalties are not immediately imposed, the goal is to educate and encourage compliance, as non-payment of lawful wages reduces social security contributions and creates unfair competition. The percentage of workers earning the minimum wage decreased from 8.2% to around 6%, with approximately 74,000 workers currently receiving the minimum wage, down from 109,000 a year earlier.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of government efforts to enforce minimum wage laws, citing official data and quotes from both the minister and state inspector general. It does not overtly favor either side but emphasizes the collaborative effort between agencies and the positive outcomes of