Income distribution

High expectations for the increase of the minimum wage, which may even exceed 6%, are cultivated by the government, while the process has entered its final stage with the Centre of Planning and Economic Research-KEPE today, Friday 15 April, to deliver to the Minister of Labor the conclusions of the dialogue between scientific and social actors.

North Macedonia's Union of Workers in Education, Science and Culture, SONK, is expected to continue talks on Wednesday with the Education Ministry over its demands for an immediate pay rise and a series of further salary increases linked to the cost of living over the coming years.

As of today - April 1, the minimum wage in the country is BGN 710 (EUR 363). According to the decree of the Council of Ministers, the minimum hourly rate is BGN 4 leva and 29 cents, which at working hours of eight hours in a 5-day working week makes BGN 710 a month.

Its increase is nearly 10% compared to the previous minimum wage of BGN 650.

EU ministers on Dec. 6 agreed on measures to better protect wage levels in Europe and give workers more power to oppose low pay.

While the proposal does not set an EU-wide minimum wage, once confirmed it would mark a significant step in promoting the European social model, especially in eastern European countries where salaries are low.

Labor and Social Security Minister Vedat Bilgin gestures during a meeting with labor and trade union representatives in Ankara on Dec. 1.

A commission of officials and representatives of labor and trade unions convened to initiate negotiations on the minimum wage for next year.

Ljubljana – During the Covid-19 epidemic, companies received various forms of state aid. Some were not so badly affected and will now have to repay the received subsidies. According to an estimate by the Slovenian Financial Administration (FURS), this amounts to just under EUR 90 million, just over 4% of the total amount paid out.

The increase of the minimum wage must be done in accordance with the business environment, otherwise it will lead to layoffs and everything will turn against the people, Labour Minister Raluca Turcan said on Thursday in a press conference.

Romanians who want higher pay for their work do not ask for any privilege, but only not to take half of their salary to pay all kinds of privileges for the politically connected, says Economy Minister Claudiu Nasui. "When it comes to leaving money to working Romanians, it is a budgetary problem.