Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi stated on Thursday that the 2024 Budget does not accommodate any increments in officials’ wages. Addressing queries during a press conference, Besimi emphasized the absence of provisions in the Budget for raising the salaries of elected and appointed officials, aligning with legal frameworks.

He articulated, “The 2024 Budget does not allocate funds for increasing officials’ wages. This aligns with the government’s policy to implement measures preventing such increments. There are no provisions for additional raises as per legal guidelines, which stipulate annual increases tied to the average wage. The Budget does not account for salary hikes for elected and appointed officials.”

Besimi also discussed employment in state institutions, highlighting a current outflow of staff and the necessity to fill vacant positions. He noted the Government’s approval of transforming fixed-term employment contracts into indefinite ones within an institution’s budgetary constraints.