The Minister of Labor and Social Security, Niki Kerameos, continued the debate on the bill that was submitted to public consultation a few days ago and concerns the new way of determining the minimum wage in Greece, holding a meeting with representatives of the New Democracy Parliamentary Group, together with the Deputy Minister, Konstantinos Karagounis and the General Secretary, Nikos Milapidis.

As pointed out in a related announcement, last month, the minister discussed extensively with all the national social partners (EU, EBEE, ESEE, SETE, SBE, SEB and ELSTAT) on the basis of the conclusion issued by the Scientific Committee on the new definition framework of the minimum wage.

In the coming days, Ms. Kerameos will have discussions with the opposition parliamentary parties. What is requested is the exchange of thoughts on the bill and the recording of improvement proposals by the parties.

The bill, entitled “Incorporation of Directive (EU) 2022/2041 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on adequate minimum wages in the European Union – Adjustment of salaries of public sector personnel – Arrangements for setting a minimum wage for years 2025, 2026 and 2027′ was put up for public electronic consultation on Thursday 7 November 2024.

The bill under consultation adopts the proposal of the Scientific Committee for the incorporation of the European directive on adequate minimum wages and the procedure for determining the minimum wage, proposed therein.

Specifically, the proposal concerns the use of a mathematical formula as a more objective, predictable and transparent way of calculating the minimum wage, based on the example of the French system, but also similar systems of other European countries.

The formula will be applied from 2028 onwards and is proposed to take into account inflation and productivity growth in the economy.

At the same time, it is proposed to create a Consultation Committee, which will consist of representatives of the social partners, thus upgrading the role of the social partners in the process.

Finally, it is proposed to draw up a road map (“action plan”) to strengthen collective labor agreements and increase the percentage of workers covered by collective agreements, with the active participation of the social partners.