THE MINISTRY of Social Affairs and Family will submit its proposal to the government to increase minimum wage from Sk6,080 (€150) to Sk6,500 (€161), an increase of 6.9 percent, effective October 1. The Council of Economic and Social Agreement however, have not agreed to that amount, the Hospodárske noviny daily wrote.
The year-on-year inflation of last year reached 8.5 percent, but Finance Minister Ivan Mikloš thinks that the proposed increase is sufficient. He believes that a higher minimum wage could become a barrier for the further employment of low-skilled workers. The Association of Employers also agreed with the proposed level of minimal wage.
However, the unions suggested Sk7,190 (€178), although it would be willing to compromise between Sk6,750 - 6,800 (€167 - €168). The above mentioned level of Sk6,500 (€161) is about 45 percent of the average wage in Slovakia, and the unions want to make it closer to the 50 percent level.
Compiled by Marta Ďurianová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
