The start of the process of determining his new rise enters the final stretch minimal salarywhich will enter into force earlier than last year, namely from April 1, 2023, following the announcement of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

According to the plan of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the process should be launched in the coming days, immediately after the adoption of the amendment defining the schedule for consultations with social partners and scientific bodies on minimum wage issues and will be completed no later than March 10, 2023, upon the proposal of the Minister of Labor and Social cases of Kostis Hatsidakis to the Council of Ministers to determine the minimum wage for employees and the minimum daily wage for artisans.

Before consultations began, Mr. Hatzidakis told APE-MPE that the statutory procedure would begin immediately, so that the new minimum wage would come into effect on April 1, in line with the Prime Minister’s commitment.

“Road map”

Based on what is provided for by law, the steps for adjusting the minimum wage are as follows:

Until January 20, 2023, the Consultation Steering Committee will send a written invitation to the relevant research bodies to write a report on the assessment of the current statutory minimum wage, while writing and submitting a report will take place no later than February 3, 2023.

The next step is the transfer of the memorandum and documentation of each person consulted by the Steering Committee to other representatives of the social partners with an invitation to an oral consultation, which will take place no later than February 10, 2023.

In the future, the transfer of all memorandums and documentation of the consultees, as well as the reports of the subjects to the Center for Planning and Economic Research (KEPE) for the preparation of a draft advisory opinion will take place no later than February 20. , 2023, and consultations on the draft opinion will be completed no later than February 28, 2023.

Finally, no later than March 10, 2023, the proposal of the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs on the determination of the minimum wage for employees and the minimum daily wage for artisans will be submitted to the Council of Ministers.

Factors that will determine the size of the new minimum wage

The goal, according to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, is to find a balanced solution that will lead to a significant and fair increase in the minimum wage, taking into account three factors: the recommendations of social partners and scientific organizations, which will be presented in the context of relevant consultations, provided by law, the endurance of the economy, and the needs of employees. In other words, the goal is to achieve a golden ratio between different needs, on the one hand, it is to strengthen the incomes of workers, and on the other hand, to keep the Greek economy competitive.

It is noted that in 2022, a twofold increase in the minimum wage was legally fixed. In particular, in February 2019, the minimum wage increased to 650 euros, from 1 January 2022 the minimum wage increased by 2% to 663 euros, and from 1 May 2022 the minimum wage reached 713 euros. growth by 7.5%.

In addition, the minimum daily wage for artisans is currently €31.85 (as of May 2022).

“I believe that in the end we will get significant growth that will significantly support workers and households that are still suffering from high inflation caused by the international energy crisis, without checking the sustainability of the economy and the competitiveness of businesses. I remind you that over the past year there has been an almost twofold increase in the minimum wage by 10%, which significantly increased the position of Greece among the EU countries that have a legally fixed minimum wage. We received it in the amount of 650 euros from the previous government, we have already increased it to 713 euros and it is ongoing,” said Mr. Hatzidakis.

“With a new, fair and significant increase that will be implemented in 2.5 months from today,” he stressed, “the purchasing power of a significant part of workers will be strengthened by a measure that will form the basis for the rest of the initiative that we have taken to stimulate growth and employment.

Positive impact on unemployment benefits, as well as

At the same time, the increase in the minimum wage increases the unemployment benefit, which currently stands at 438 euros.

In addition, as already reported by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, a number of allowances and allowances are being adjusted based on the minimum wage or daily wage. These include, among others, unemployment benefits for the self-employed, new employment programs, special unemployment benefits, work suspension benefits, special seasonal benefits for workers in the tourism and food industries, construction workers, foresters. workers, etc., special maternity allowance, child care allowance, unpaid wages due to employer’s insolvency, affordability allowance, vocational school student compensation (EPA.S) Apprenticeship in the Public Employment Service (DYPA) , compensation for program experience, etc.

^{Source: RES-IPE}