Within the framework of its audit activity and for compliance with the legislation on the statutory minimum wage, the Labor Inspectorate started from May 2024 and continues targeted audits, utilizing data from the “ERGANI” Information System, through the use of special reports on the salary adjustment statements, based on current legislation.

In comparison, to date, 1,170 businesses and the wages of 8,518 employees were audited. As stated in a related announcement, in 286 companies and 1,949 employees it was found that salaries had not been adjusted, based on the statutory minimum limits.

After the intervention of the Labor Inspectorate, compliance has been achievedwhile in 43 cases were fined, totaling 49,200 euros.

At the same time, the checks continue.

Also, the Labor Inspection, addressed to each employee, emphasizes the following:

  • ” It’s illegal for your employer to pay you less than the statutory minimum wage, so check your salary and talk to your boss or payroll officer to make sure you’re getting the pay rise you’re entitled to. The minimum wage is a law, not a choice.
  • You can sue your employer if they underpay you. You can also contact the Labor Inspectorate for further details if needed by contacting your local Labor Inspectorate in your area. The Labor Inspectorate examines every complaint it receives. Inspectors will look at the pay of all staff in your workplace, not just yours. If you wish to remain anonymous, the Labor Inspectorate will not reveal who made the complaint.
  • The Labor Inspectorate will find out if you are owed money and tell your employer to pay it directly to you. The Labor Inspectorate will not close the case until you are paid and, if there is no compliance, will impose penalties.
  • The law on the minimum wage is valid throughout the Greek territory for employees with a dependent labor relationship. No employer is exempted from the obligation to pay his employees the legal minimum wage/wage.’

In particular, after the publication of ministerial decision no. 25058/29/03/2024 (Government Gazette 1974/B/29/03/2024), the legal minimum wage/daily wage in effect from April 1, 2024 for full-time employees and artisans respectively throughout the country is as follows:

  • for employees, the minimum wage is set at 830 euros and
  • for artisans, the minimum daily wage is set at 37.07 euros.

In addition, according to par. 3 of article 33 of Law 5053/2023 (A’ 158), for those employees who are paid the statutory salary or daily wage, the time of a dependent contract or employment relationship, which has been spent in any employer and in any specialty, before 2/14/2012 and after 1/1/2024.

The above-mentioned increase, due to seniority, is determined as follows:

  • For employees with a dependent employment relationship, at a rate of 10% for each three years of service and up to three three years and a total of 30% for a service of nine years or more.
  • For artisans, with a dependent employment relationship at a rate of 5% for each three years of service and up to six three years and a total of 30% for service of 18 years or more.

Individual and Collective Labor Agreements of any kind may not set regular monthly wages or a full-time daily wage lower than the legal minimum wage and legal minimum daily wage defined above.