By Nicolas Petros Kaparti
Turmoil prevails in the ranks of the trade unions after the government's alleged retreat on what,The framework for establishing the minimum wage, as it was set by the late Labour Minister Zeta Emilianidou.
Worth mentioning is the reaction of the SEK which expresses its disappointment with the government's attitude and calls on it to revert to the predetermined framework and procedure in order to avoid labour unrest.
On the other hand, the employers' organisations claim that the dialogue had not been completed and, for their part, are exerting their own pressure on the President's office to start the introduction of the minimum wage conservatively, wanting to give time until the level of the minimum wage reaches the levels they suggest.
In particular, the trade unions want the minimum wage to be set at 60% of the national median wage (€1,727) as defined by EU-SILC. On this basis, the trade unions want the minimum wage to be set at 1.036 euros, gross.
On the other hand, employers' organisations are calling for the minimum wage to be gradually implemented on the basis of 60% of the national median wage (€1,573) as defined by the Statistical Office. That is, up to 943.8 euros, gross.
Recall that the Cyprus Times in a previous report, sounding out the positions and pressures of the two sides had indicated that the minimum wage would be around 940-960 euros.
In any case, the government will continue its contacts with employers and trade unions in order to find the golden mean and close the whole issue as soon as possible since as long as it remains open, the pressure on the Presidential Hill will intensify.
Indicative of the President's statements last Thursday is that "what trade unionists and everyone in general need to know is that we are determined and there will be a minimum wage as long as only by making noise that some people do not believe that they can achieve what we are seeking."
In fact, the President made it clear that "the minimum wage will certainly be adopted and will be sufficiently fair to the satisfaction of all".
Moreover, the President of the Republic wants to lock the final framework for the implementation of the minimum wage in order to fulfil the promise he made during his eulogy at the funeral of Zeta Emilianidou, that the minister's work "will be completed with the establishment of the National Minimum Wage, the reform of the pension system and parental leave".
Finally, it is noted that the government has set a timetable until the end of August to complete the consultations.
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