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ATHENS (Reuters) – The gross minimum wage in Greece will be raised by 6.4% to 830 euros per month, the government announced on Friday, as it seeks to relieve households experiencing a cost of living crisis.
This increase, the fourth in five years, was expected and should benefit hundreds of thousands of employees.
“Today’s decision will provide relief to workers without weakening the economy and competitiveness of businesses,” said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who survived a motion of no confidence on Thursday.
“We are implementing a new promise in our electoral program,” he added to his ministers.
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Mitsotakis’ conservative government has promised to raise the minimum wage to 950 euros and increase the average wage by at least 25%, to 1,500 euros, by the end of its mandate in 2027.
The government renewed last June also committed to raising retirement pensions and public sector salaries, against a backdrop of recovery in the Greek economy.
Activity grew by 2% last year in Greece, compared to 0.4% on average in the euro zone. The government forecasts growth of 2.9% in 2024, supported by tourism, domestic demand and increased investment.
The minimum wage was increased by 9.4% to 780 euros in April 2023.
(Report by Renee Maltezou and Lefteris Papadimas, French version Corentin Chappron, edited by Sophie Louet)
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