The government proposes a minimum wage at the level of 60 % of the average. Trade unions are in favour – employers against
28.05.2024 11:10
The current minimum wage is 750 euros. This sum was the result of an agreement between employers and trade unions. This year, however, such an agreement will apparently not be repeated. The reason is the government proposal that, from 2026, the minimum wage be at the level of 60 percent of the average wage. The partners discussed this at the tripartite on 20 May. Employers, however, unlike the trade unions, did not support this proposal.
The currently valid mechanism sets the average wage at roughly the level of 57 % of the average wage. After taking office, the government committed to incorporating the European directive, which allows the minimum wage to be set at 60 %, and this act is already in the legislative process. As expected, however, employers are not applauding with enthusiasm.
„We propose that the minimum wage be at the level of 60 %, and at the same time the surcharges for night and weekend work are also tied to the minimum wage,“ stated Minister of Labour Erik Tomáš.
„For us, a debate is acceptable if it leads to a result that will further increase the surcharges for night work or to tools that will create pressure and reduce the volume of hours that employees work during non-standard times,“ said the President of KOZ SR Monika Uhlerová.
There is room for discussion
But surcharges are not the only topic over which employers have a problem with this act. „Everything must stem from the performance of the Slovak economy, and the performance of the Slovak economy compared to the EU is the second worst. After us comes only Bulgaria, and therefore we cannot be surprised that the wage setting is as it is,“ said the Vice-President of AZZZ Rastislav Machunka.
„It would be important to also consider the level of the tax and levy burden on the minimum wage, because over recent years that burden on the minimum wage has risen from 29 to 37.5 %,“ explained Mário Lelovský from the Republic Union of Employers. „We can discuss it. On the other hand, there is pressure on us for the consolidation of public finances, also from the side of employers. So we can discuss it in the case of low-income employees,“ reacted Tomáš.
Since the act will not reach parliament until autumn, room is being created for the minister to discuss it not only with employers, but also with the coalition partner, who has a problem with the minimum pension in relation to the minimum wage. „So that people who have 40 years of work behind them do not have to live on social benefits, so that they have a basic status. They paid contributions for 40 years, so they must have at least a somewhat dignified life, and they will only have it if there is at least minimal indexation. That is clear,“ said MP Roman Michelko.
You can watch the full report on the website of APZD.
