The minimum wage in Ukraine does not even cover basic expenses — trade unions

The head of the All-Ukrainian Trade Union of Industrialists, Entrepreneurs and Labour Migrants, Nataliya Zemlyanska, said this during the SocForum.

According to Zemlyanska, the minimum wage should be a fundamental social benchmark that determines not only the standard of living but also the country's ability to retain its population.

The panellists noted that in terms of euros, the Ukrainian "minimum wage" is the lowest among comparable European countries. Even in Moldova, this figure is about twice as high.

The problem is not only the size

However, the key problem is not only the low level of payments, but also the very role of the minimum wage in Ukraine.

It should be a payment for simple unskilled labour. Instead, it has become a universal lower threshold even for skilled workers," Zemlyanska emphasised.

The situation in medicine was cited as an example in the discussion. A nurse with the highest category and more than 20 years of experience can receive about 9 thousand hryvnias, actually at the level of the minimum wage. This, according to the participants, indicates the devaluation of qualifications and problems in financing the sector.

Minimum wage as a formula, not a political decision

Zemlyanskaya emphasised that the minimum wage should not be the subject of political haggling. It should be determined by a transparent formula.

As a benchmark, she named the level of at least 50 per cent of the average wage, an approach that is in line with European practice.

However, she said, even this is not enough in war conditions.

War changes the economy of survival

Zemlyanskaya noted that the factor of military risks should be added to the calculation of the minimum wage.

We are talking about the additional expenses of citizens:

• power outages;
• medical treatment costs;
• forced relocations;
• damaged housing;
• security costs.

If the minimum wage does not cover the basic risks, a person chooses between shadow employment and going abroad," she warned.

According to her, this is no longer just a social problem, but a challenge for demography, the labour market, and Ukraine's post-war renewal.