Κ. ΧΑΤΖΗΔΑΚΗΣ
- 30 Apr 2023
- economy
The increase in the minimum wage drags up several benefits, including the unemployment benefit. Hatzidaki's announcements on the minimum wage increase.
“The increase takes into account the debt to support workers especially in conditions of imported inflation, but also takes into account the state of business. The minimum wage is 713 euros per month, already increased by 10% compared to 2019. 585,000 workers are covered by the minimum wage. I want to underline that not only the minimum wage has increased in recent years, but also the average wage compared to 2019", said the Minister of Labor initially.
"From April 1, the minimum wage increases to 780 euros. The minimum daily wage is 34.84 euros. We do not distribute our own money from our own pockets. It's private sector money," he continued. As the Prime Minister said earlier, this is an increase of 9.4%, the third consecutive increase during the ND administration. As Mr. Hatzidakis continued, for the increase in the minimum wage, the following were taken into account: A) The drop in unemployment, which shows that the economy has momentum. B) The competitiveness of the Greek economy, which has improved in recent years. C) The recovery of the economy, which will continue in 2023, at 2%.
"What ends up in the employee's pocket?" In 2019, there were 548 euros left. Today, with 14 payments, he will have 667 euros left," added Mr. Hatzidakis, presenting relevant data.
Regarding the three years, the Minister of Labor underlined that the regime will change for those who completed the right in 2012 "when unemployment falls below 10%".
As the minister noted, the increase in the minimum wage will also affect the unemployment benefit, as well as a series of benefits paid by the Public Employment Service (DYPA). "The unemployment benefit was 399 euros in 2019, then it rose to 438 euros, and now it will be 479 euros. Not only that, but several more allowances are increasing," Kostis Hatzidakis said.
"We believe that, with the decision we made to increase the minimum wage to 780 euros, we are responding to society's request for support for people's income, without disregarding the needs and capabilities of businesses. We got here because the economy is holding up", concluded Mr. Hatzidakis.
