Council of Ministers Appoints Commission for Implementation of National Minimum Wage

Resolution No. 4/2026 strengthens social dialogue and commitment to labor justice

On January 16, 2026, the Council of Ministers approved Resolution No. 4/2026, which formally establishes the Tripartite Commission for the Implementation of the National Minimum Wage. The act was published in Official Gazette No. 5, Series I, of January 16, 2026, and represents a milestone in the process of institutionalizing social dialogue and regulating working conditions in the country.

The Resolution establishes the composition and objectives of a tripartite commission that will include representatives of the Government, trade unions, and employers’ associations, with the specific mission of formulating guidelines, mechanisms, and timelines for the effective operationalization and implementation of the national minimum wage. The measure aims to ensure compliance with the constitutional principles of labor protection and the promotion of decent working conditions, as well as to leverage a solid negotiation process between social partners before the entry into force of the law establishing the minimum wage.

According to the Resolution, the Commission will have a defined deadline for presenting concrete proposals on the calculation structure, review frequency, and sectoral and territorial scaling of the minimum wage, in line with the socioeconomic reality of Cape Verde. The initiative stems from the growing need to harmonize public policies on employment, income, and economic competitiveness, while ensuring the protection of workers with lower incomes.

The establishment of this tripartite commission comes at a time when public and academic debate on the minimum wage has gained prominence, including considerations about its distributive function, its impact on micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and its compatibility with sustainable development goals and current labor legislation.

Resolution No. 4/2026, by establishing a permanent forum for tripartite negotiation and consultation, seeks to reconcile diverse interests, strengthening participatory governance and the commitment to social justice in the Cape Verdean labor market.