Starting April 1st, Greece’s minimum wage will rise to €880 gross, a €30 increase per month, as announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. While the government frames this as part of a broader economic growth effort, opposition parties like SYRIZA, PASOK, and KKE are calling it a mere "mockery" of the working class. They argue that the increase is insufficient to counteract rising inflation, high living costs, and stagnant wages, with many workers struggling to make ends meet.

From 1st April, Greece’s minimum wage will rise to €880 gross, as announced by PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis during a cabinet meeting. Mitsotakis highlighted that this decision marks the fifth increase in the minimum wage in recent years and emphasized that this is part of a broader effort by the government to share the benefits of economic growth with the population. He also stressed that Greece’s new minimum wage will place it in 11th position among the 22 European Union countries with a minimum wage system.

The opposition reacts

SYRIZA: “This is yet another mockery of the working class.”

SYRIZA condemns the government’s minimum wage increase, calling it a mockery of workers. The party argues that the announced increases are negligible, especially given the rising cost of living. The increase translates into only around €50 more for private sector workers, and a mere €20 for public sector employees. They emphasize that wages are not keeping up with the 16.4% rise in general prices, 33% in food, and 17% in housing. Furthermore, they highlight that 60% of workers are unable to make ends meet, and the purchasing power of Greeks is the second lowest in the EU.

PASOK: “Crumbs for the many, and plenty for the few and the powerful, that is Mr. Mitsotakis’s policy.”

PASOK criticises the government’s actions, calling the increase insufficient and pointing to the fact that workers are overworked and underpaid. They argue that the government is continuing to favor the wealthy, offering only “crumbs” to the majority. The party also notes that collective bargaining agreements are underfunded and that housing costs in Greece are the highest in the EU. They commit to a system where the minimum wage would be set by social partners to ensure workers’ dignity, and they would restore labor protections that the current government has undermined.

KKE: “This is a farce – the increase has already been wiped out by taxes and inflation.”

The Greek Communist Party (KKE) accuses the government of misleading workers with a minimal wage increase, which has already been negated by high taxes and inflation. They argue that even with the slight wage bump, the actual income workers take home remains insufficient, especially as wages for low-income workers stay stagnated. The party insists that the government continues to push an agenda that exploits workers for the benefit of big businesses, referring to labor laws that have undermined collective agreements and workers’ rights since 2012. KKE supports continued worker mobilization for higher wages, collective agreements, and the restoration of public sector benefits like the 13th and 14th salaries.

Achtsioglou from New Left: “The announcements regarding the minimum wage seal the continuation of the impoverishment of workers.”

The New Left, sees the announcement of the minimum wage increase as a clear sign of ongoing worker impoverishment. Achtsioglou highlights that the modest wage increase of €34 net for private sector workers and €20 for public sector workers is undermined by a lack of adjustments to tax brackets, leading to a doubling of taxes for low-income workers. She stresses that while the government provides only minor relief for workers, it continues to favor large corporations and the wealthy, with the cost of living rapidly increasing, further eroding household income.

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