Greece: Cabinet to discuss minimum wage issue on July 26

The cabinet will be meeting on July 26 to discuss the issue of a minimum wage, according to information.

Currently, minimum wage in the private sector is set at 650 euros per month – with nominal salary at 758 euros, if the Christmas and Easter bonuses are included – which is an average European salary in the EU, or in the 11th place based on nominal salary and the 13th, based on purchasing power parities.

The subject will be introduced at the meeting by the Labor Ministry, which will include three considerations: opinions by social partners and scientific agencies, fiscal flexibility, and living wage needs of workers receiving minimum wage (particularly after the coronavirus pandemic).

Most industrial and business associations, the Bank of Greece, and research institutes IOBE and KEPE support a freeze on minimum wage, while the private sector labor federation (GSEE) calls for a rise to 751 euros immediately and to 809 euros as of mid-2022.

Source: amna.gr