Labour law

A proposed bill by the Ministry of Labor and Social Politics has sparked controversy by suggesting that the minimum wage in Bulgaria should only increase in line with inflation. Although the bill has not yet been made available for public discussion, its contents were revealed through a strong statement from the Confederation of Labor "Podkrepa" on their website.

What is the biggest problem with wage labor in Greece? That its coverage rate by collective labor agreements is one of the lowest in the 27 countries of the European Union, at around 20%. This statistic is one you'd expect to find in a third world country rather than a European one.

From January 1, 2026, entry-level public sector salaries in Greece will increase in line with the minimum wage set for the private sector, according to a new labor law draft. However, for 2025, a unique approach will apply, as outlined in the draft legislation of the Ministry of Labor, which is open for public consultation until November 21.

A bill on establishing the minimum wage for 2025, 2026 and 2027 was posted for public consultation on Tuesday. The draft law was submitted by the Labor and Social Insurance Ministry and will remain posted until November 21.

Currently, the minimum wage is set at 830 euros, an increase of 28% compared to 2019. 

Legislation paving the way for extraordinary financial aid to be paid at Christmas will be tabled in November.

It is a fund of more than 200 million euros and concerns different categories of citizens, such as disabled people, pensioners with personal differences, those who receive social solidarity allowance, and families with children.

The minimum wage in Bulgaria is set to increase to 1,077 leva (550 euros) on January 1, 2025, which is an increase of 144 leva or about 73.6 euros. This adjustment will bring Bulgaria's minimum wage within 6.6 euros of Germany's lowest wage, which is scheduled to rise from 12.41 euros to 12.82 euros, representing a modest 3.3% increase.

A new mathematical formula to determine the minimum wage will apply from January 1, 2028 onward, will rely on inflation and productivity rates, and will be fully binding for the respective government. The regulation, which will be in the draft law of the Ministry of Labor, will not permit its reduction.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday confirmed the government's decision to institute further rises to Greece's minimum wage, bringing it up to 950 euros by 2027, during a meeting with the Cabinet on Thursday.

With the new minimum wage at its heart, Labour Minister Niki Kerameos is today presenting to the Council of Ministers the draft law to transpose the EU directive on decent minimum wages into national law.

The Council of Ministers has adopted a resolution to set the minimum wage at 1,077 leva, reflecting a 15.4% increase or 144 leva more than the minimum wage for 2024, announced Minister of Social Affairs Ivailo Ivanov.

According to him, the new wage will take effect from January 2025.