2024-04-02 05:39:46
With his post on TiK Tok, the Minister of Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis responds, as he says, to those who “reset everything to zero”, referring to the new increase in the minimum wage that takes effect from April 1.
In the post, entitled “Five things about the new increase in the minimum wage and whoever wants to challenge them”, the minister notes that the minimum wage was 650 euros when New Democracy won the elections in 2019 and now it has risen to 830 euros.
@kostis_hatzidakis 5 things about the new increase in the minimum wage and anyone who wants to question them! #tiktokgreece #fypgreece #neadimokratia
♬ original sound – Kostis Hatzidakis
On a 12-month basis, gross earnings are 968 euros per month and net 823 euros.
In relation to the 22 countries of the E.U. that have minimum wage status, Greece is in 11th place in terms of the nominal value of the wage. And in terms of purchasing power in 13th place.
“We are not the last of the last”
I note them not to celebrate, but to underline that we are not “the last of the last”, as some argue, the minister further notes and adds:
While the inflation increase from 2019 to 2024 is a cumulative 16.5%, the minimum wage increase is 28%. Much more, that is, than the increase in inflation.
The average salary, because some argue that “the minimum wage may have risen, but the average wage is not rising”, was, based on the ERGANI System data, 1,046 euros in 2019 and rose to 1,258 euros at the end of 2023. Much more, also from inflation”.
And he concludes by commenting: “Some people in Greece have the privilege of popularizing and nullifying everything. We try to act seriously. And to strike a balance between the great and real needs of employees on the one hand and the capabilities of businesses on the other. I think the way things are going shows that we are succeeding! And we go on!”.