The largest trade union in Slovakia, OZ KOVO, demands a higher minimum wage increase than what the Ministry of Labour is proposing. The ministry submitted a proposal to increase the minimum gross wage from the beginning of next year to €345.80 per month, while the union calls for the minimum wage to reach €364.70. This is an eight percent increase.
Union president Emil Machyna says the figure is a justified demand due to rising productivity, higher living costs, and the need to increase domestic consumption. “The minimum hourly wage in Slovakia is €3.90, the eighth lowest minimum wage in Europe,” he said. He also pointed out that the share of wages in the country‘s gross domestic product (GDP) is constantly decreasing. Employers do not agree with the proposal of the trade unions because according to them, such an increase will lead to rising unemployment and deepening poverty. Since the beginning of this year, the government has increased the minimum wage in Slovakia by 3.2 percent to €337.70.
