Long awaited for months, the implementation decree for the minimum hiring wage (SME) was finally published on June 29. According to the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Public Service, employees will benefit from a double adjustment of the SME this year. “This decree specifies that the minimum wage is maintained at 300,000 Ariary until September. From October, a second increase will bring the SME to 315,000 Ariary,” stated Rojomampionona Ravelomahatratra, Director General of Labor (DGT) at the ministry.
The increase applies retroactively from March 1, 2026. Employees are therefore entitled to four months of back pay, “which employers must regularize as soon as possible.”
Employer groups and the Confederation of Madagascar Workers (CTM) had agreed on a 14% increase in the minimum hiring wage for the private sector. According to a joint statement issued by these social partners in February, the wage was set to rise from 262,680 Ariary to 300,000 Ariary starting March 1, 2026.
Wage negotiations subsequently resumed. The “most representative” labor unions rejected the 300,000 Ariary SME, proposing an amount of 360,000 Ariary during the tripartite meeting. Ultimately, the threshold was set at 315,000 Ariary.
“A campaign will be launched to monitor the implementation of this decree,” added Rojomampionona Ravelomahatratra.
Trade union organizations have welcomed this measure. “It is the first time in 60 years that there has been a double increase in the same year! Let us hope that the implementation decree for the 315,000 Ariary will not be delayed too long. In any case, it is pleasing because we have been bombarded with questions. 300,000 Ariary is not huge, but the main thing is that it has increased!” reacted Julio Rakotomaharavo, from the Confederation of Revolutionary Malagasy Workers’ Unions (Fisemare). The Randrana Sendikaly, however, expressed dissatisfaction and announced a demonstration in front of the Prime Minister’s office today.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-03 05:44:00 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/emploi-le-salaire-minimum-dembauche.html
