Russian parliament, the State Duma, asserts that the proposed minimum wage increase to 27,000 rubles is inadequate.
In a recent development, the chairman of the "Fair Russia - For Truth" party, Sergey Mironov, has suggested that the minimum wage (MROT) in Russia should be significantly increased from its current level of 19,300 rubles. Mironov proposed that the MROT for 2026 could range from 35-43,000 rubles, a potential increase of over 100%.
Mironov's proposed MROT is significantly higher than the planned increase to 27,000 rubles next year. Deputies of the "Fair Russia - For Truth" faction have planned to introduce a bill in the State Duma in July, proposing to increase the MROT to 50,000 rubles per month from January 1, 2026. This proposed increase could potentially affect the average wage.
However, the impact of the MROT increase on the average wage is not yet known. Mironov believes that the proposed amount corresponds to the level at which citizens can meet their basic needs. On the other hand, he finds the planned increase to 27,000 rubles insufficient.
Meanwhile, in Germany, the government and governing parties aim to increase the minimum wage (Mindestlohn) to about 15 EUR from 2026. The independent minimum wage commission has agreed on 13.90 EUR for 2026, an 8.4% increase from the current 12.82 EUR. The commission also plans a further rise to 14.60 EUR in 2027.
In comparison to the proposed MROT increase in Russia, the German minimum wage increase is more gradual. However, the specific ruble amount for the proposed MROT increase in Russia for 2026 was not found in the results.
The MROT increase to 27,000 rubles next year may impact the average wage, but it is the starting point for discussions about its impact. The suggested MROT increase to 50,000 rubles in 2026 may also affect the average wage, but the exact impact remains to be seen.
As the discussions around minimum wage increases continue, it will be interesting to see how these proposals shape the economic landscape in both Russia and Germany.
