GSEE-Minimum wage: The implementation of accuracy is not treated with an increase of 13 euros / month

In a statement, GSEE in relation to the increase of the minimum wage from 1/1/2022 by 2%, states that “the wave of accuracy can be transmitted for months in our country following the general European” gallop “of inflation. increases in energy costs should not be expected to de-escalate before the end of 2022 (with estimates constantly changing on hand). all estimates so far to predict further price increases of products immediately after the holidays, on average at 20% in several basic food items, but also of wider consumption, and which in some cases will reach 30%.

All of the above may be an inevitable development, in the chain that starts from the pandemic crisis, continues with the “explosion” of energy costs, where their role is certainly played by other factors and accelerates with a catalyst the global supply chain disruption. However, the workers in our country are called to face all the above price increases, which are added to those that have occurred in various basic goods / products since the beginning of 2021, with a percentage increase of only 2% in the minimum wage, ie 13 € gross the month (!).

With “negative champions” detergents, legumes, cheese, etc. mainly basic food, the basic goal of institutionalizing the minimum wage which is to protect a section of society from impoverishment has failed miserably. The level of the minimum wage in our country and the only 2% increase announced by the Government, can in no way guarantee a decent standard of living. The marginal increase of the minimum wage, in fact from 1.1.2022, does not in any way enhance the economic and social stability and growth, does not improve the living conditions and of course does not reduce the insecurity and precariousness that distinguish the labor market today.

GSEE, through the Institute of Labor of the Confederation, has documented its request for the need to immediately return the minimum wage to 751 euros and then adjust it to 60% of the gross full-time salary, ie to 809 euros, by signing National General Collective Bargaining Agreement between the social partners. The increase of 13 euros decided by the government does not change the fact that the minimum wage is below the poverty line, with all that this implies for workers and their families.

The workers in our country consider the decision of the Government to be lower than their expectations and needs. At a critical time for them due to the pandemic – and after 11 consecutive years of memoranda and tough fiscal measures – they need to substantially boost their incomes and protect themselves, fight crime against them and institutionalize and strengthen collective bargaining. and employment contracts.

The trade unions, the workers, the unemployed, the fired, we do not forget that in June 2021, anti-labor measures entered into force with law 4808/2021, which, by intensifying the labor-intensive restrictions of the memorandum measures, violate fundamental principles and rights of Labor Law. and inflict key blows on the institution of free collective bargaining and on the model of safe and well-paid work. A series of measures to weaken trade union freedom and collective protection of workers, while strengthening managerial rights and the individual employment contract, were imposed in a working, social and economic environment prohibitive for such legislative interventions, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, with all the consequences that have already occurred and are expected in the future for the economy, work and society.

In an environment of extreme labor market flexibility and severe insecurity of the country’s labor force, fueled by high unemployment rates, the widespread use of flexible forms of employment, the disorganization of state control mechanisms and the threat of pandemics, its key regulatory framework currently in Greece has an anti-labor and anti-union orientation and more pronounced anti-social characteristics.

“Finally, we must remind everyone of the Prime Minister’s commitment to increase the minimum wage by twice the rate of growth.”