The Government on October 21 approved a proposal to raise the minimum wage by 4.1 percent to €307.70 per month as of January. The Labour Ministry originally planned to increase the existing minimum wage of €295.50 per month by 8.1 percent, as proposed by unions.
The tripartite partners (government, unions, employers) have met to negotiate the issue several times since August, with the last meeting taking place on Wednesday, October 21. They were unable to reach agreement, however, and the Government decided to set the increase at 4.1 percent.
"I insist this [increase] shouldn't have such an impact that it would could cause a problem," said Labour Minister Viera Tomanová, adding that the government with this step is protecting the most vulnerable group of citizens that work for the minimum wage. The original proposal for an increase of 8.1 percent is now to be spread over the 2010-11 period. "If the level of the minimum wage isn't agreed to by the social partners, the increase in 2011 will reach another 4 percent above the level of the minimum wage that will be in place," Tomanová told the TASR newswire.
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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