Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday reiterated his center-right government’s pledge to raise the monthly minimum salary in the country above 800 euros, as unabated hikes in the cost of living have taken a “bite” out of households’ and younger wage-earners’ disposable income.
Mitsotakis and his top ministers have repeatedly said this goal aims to be achieved over a four-year period.
Speaking during a wide-ranging interview on a morning current affairs program on Skai TV, the 56-year-old Greek premier again acknowledged that the high cost of living remains the foremost problem facing households in the country, with one of the measures eyed by the government being the raising of wage-earners’ salaries.
Looking ahead to far-off 2027 – as judged by the proverbial political “calendar” – Mitsotakis said the target is an average private sector salary of 1,500 euros a month by 2027; 950 euros for the lowest monthly salary.
He also said a latest round of measures taken by the government have generated results in terms of containing shelf prices for detergents, baby formula and various other necessities. Additionally, he appeared adamant that fines assessed to violators will be fully paid.
In response to a question, he ruled out the prospect of an “Easter benefit” to lower-income households, similar to a “Christmas” benefit announced last year and disbursed to eligible households for the holiday – essentially a one-off welfare payment.
