Skourletis: 751 Minimum Wage To Be Restored in 2016

Minister of Labor Panagiotis Skourletis said that he is preparing a draft bill which aims to restore the minimum wage to 751 euros and reverse a set of other labor reforms. Skourletis pointed out that the bill will be ready in March and that wages would gradually be restored by 2016. The bill seeks to overturn reforms on collective labor agreements, as well as collective dismissals, compensation and contract extensions, etc. It also aims to raise the powers of the Mediation and Arbitration Organization.

When asked if Greece’s lenders would support the bill, Skourletis said that there is going to be a consultation period. He also announced that SYRIZA is not going to be bound by the commitments of the previous administration, when asked about the existing legislation.

He described undeclared employment as “the most important reform”, measure that his party is going to undertake along with the “Medieval working conditions” that currently dominate the job market. To that end the Labor Inspectorate will be upgraded and supported to meet the modern needs of the market.