Wages in the Chemical Industry Increase by 2.65 Percent

Thu 24th Apr, 2025

Starting May 1, approximately 50,000 employees in the chemical industry will see a wage increase of 2.65 percent. This announcement follows extensive negotiations that lasted over 13 hours in the third round of discussions, concluding in the early hours of Thursday. The agreed wage adjustments will result in a minimum increase of EUR80 and a maximum of EUR113. For those in the highest pay grades, V and VI, salaries will rise by a fixed amount of EUR60.

Apprentice wages will also be subject to the same 2.65 percent increase. The chief negotiators representing the unions, noted that reaching this agreement was particularly challenging given the current economic landscape. However, they emphasized the achievement of sustainable wage increases for employees in the chemical sector, as opposed to the one-off payments that employers had initially proposed. The minimum wage increase of EUR80 is designed to especially benefit those on lower incomes.

This spring wage round commenced on March 19 with collective bargaining discussions for the paper industry, which have similarly seen two rounds of inconclusive talks. The same situation applies to the electrical industry.


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