No agreement on minimal wage

Representatives of trade unions have not come to an agreement with the Association of employers regarding the minimum wage. The Confederation of trade unions is insisting on a monthly amount of EUR 635. Employers say this amount is impossible and suggest a 6% hike, according to mandatory law, to EUR 552. The Labour Ministry will present its proposal by the end of July. Monday was the deadline stipulated by the social partners, i.e. unionists and employers, for submitting the proposal. Unionists claim that the Slovak economy is doing well and the more than 3% growth makes higher hikes in the minimum wage possible. Employers say their proposal, coming now at the very deadline, is unfair. The minimum wage in Slovakia is the seventh lowest in the whole of the EU.