At the beginning of December, Member States of the European Union agreed on a EU framework on adequate minimum wage. The adoption of the directive still requires an agreement with the European Parliament.
Eglītis explained that an adequate salary is considered to be at least 50% of the average salary for full-time work. Currently, in Latvia, the minimum wage is €500, which is 43% of the average salary.
“We have basically agreed, both in the coalition and with the unions and employers, that it will have to be strongly lifted [from January 2023]. I see them at least 600, maybe more,” the minister said.
He said that in the coming months, the government should agree on a formula for raising the minimum wage so that in future the coalition and the government should not decide on the matter annually. The rise would take place automatically.
