Unite Welcomes Budget Measures But Says More Work Is Needed
Unite has welcomed a number of measures in Gibraltar’s 2026 Budget, while saying there are still issues that need further discussion.
Below follows Unite the Union’s statement on the Chief Minister’s budget speech:
Unite, the union for workers in Gibraltar, have broadly welcomed the Chief Minister’s final budget speech today (7th July 2026) which delivers on a number of key areas for Unite members in the public and private sectors; although there remain outstanding issues and points that require further dialogue.
Stuart Davies, National Officer for Unite Gibraltar stated: “I would firstly like to congratulate the Chief Minister on delivering his final Budget speech which contains a number of progressive elements that will benefit those living and working in Gibraltar not just now, but into the future. The public sector pay proposal, whilst not delivering on all that Unite were seeking is certainly unprecedented and delivers on some of the commitments within Unite’s 2025 Dispute Resolution Agreement around the recovery of real terms losses in pay, which members will now be balloted on. There do remain some points for further dialogue and clarification; however the automatic and annual mapping of the Gibraltar minimum entry salary to the UK at 1st April each year is welcomed and follows the agreement Unite signed with HMGOG last month on this matter for the period 1st April 2025 to 31s March 2026.
“Despite the contents of the Budget speech, Unite have certainly not agreed in principle a moratorium on sectoral claims and such a proposal was rejected by Unite. The union has repeatedly stated that it wants to concentrate public monies available into public sector pay, but cannot be restricted from departmental or sectoral claims that are meritorious and well founded. Also whilst the negotiation process has been markedly improved from the 2025/26 engagement, it has still fallen below what Unite would expect from a robust negotiating procedure which has left the union with outstanding points, matters of clarification and a requirement for further dialogue.
“The union has long argued that the minimum wage has been too low; however it would be churlish to not welcome the £10 per hour minimum wage which will provide a significant boost to lowest paid working in Gibraltar; although Unite maintains that more needs to be done in the private sector, around the Living Wage, improved minimum employment standards and tackling Zero Hours Contracts.
“The equalisation of the pension age for men down to 60 so as they share the same pension age as women cannot be underestimated. When almost every other country in Europe is increasing their state pension ages for both men and women, in some cases to almost 70, then the gravity of this announcement is highly significant. It is reversing a trend across other developed countries of making those that contribute towards funding pensions, work longer to receive that pension. Unite have long campaigned for this equalisation and HMGOG should be applauded for this announcement.
The union will now commence the process of consulting with members and balloting on the public sector pay proposals.
