![[Bulgaria] Criticism from MEPs over how minimum wage is determined](http://gpa.net/cdn/shop/articles/bigstock-Brussels-Belgium--Aug-----462205295_1200x.jpg?v=1677864998)
Bulgaria has received criticism from MEPs over the way the country has determined its minimum wage and questioned whether it is enough to meet European directive requirements, novinite.com reports.
MEPs Dennis Radtke from the EPP and Agnes Jongerius from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats stated that the increase in the minimum wage adopted by the last National Assembly in Bulgaria is not enough to meet the requirements of the European directive which demands at least 80 per cent collective negotiation must be achieved.
The two MEPs are co-sponsors of the minimum wage directive adopted in October in the EU.
According to the adopted decision of the Parliament of February 1, the minimum wage for Bulgaria will be 50 per cent of the average gross wage for a period of 1 year, which includes the last two quarters of the previous year and the first two of the current year.
MEP Radtke said, "This is only one step, full implementation implies drawing up an action plan of what measures to take so as to reach the target of 80 per cent. This is the major part of the implementation of the directive. Otherwise, it is only one and perhaps the smallest step to take".
The minimum wage directive in the EU was adopted in October 2022. It does not include specific figures, however, according to rapporteurs, 80 per cent of workers should be covered by collective bargaining. Its serious increase is the basis of the directive.
MEP Agnes Jongerius also believes that the increase in Bulgaria is not enough to ensure a decent life for working people. She said, "I think that for countries like Bulgaria there is a particular need for more people to be covered by collective bargaining in the hope that this will lead to a greater increase in wages. Also, the formula that links the minimum wage to the average wage may lead the former to a higher level".
Member States must reportedly transpose the minimum wage directive into their national laws by November 15, 2024.
Source: novinite.com
(Quotes via original reporting)
Bulgaria has received criticism from MEPs over the way the country has determined its minimum wage and questioned whether it is enough to meet European directive requirements, novinite.com reports.
MEPs Dennis Radtke from the EPP and Agnes Jongerius from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats stated that the increase in the minimum wage adopted by the last National Assembly in Bulgaria is not enough to meet the requirements of the European directive which demands at least 80 per cent collective negotiation must be achieved.
The two MEPs are co-sponsors of the minimum wage directive adopted in October in the EU.
According to the adopted decision of the Parliament of February 1, the minimum wage for Bulgaria will be 50 per cent of the average gross wage for a period of 1 year, which includes the last two quarters of the previous year and the first two of the current year.
MEP Radtke said, "This is only one step, full implementation implies drawing up an action plan of what measures to take so as to reach the target of 80 per cent. This is the major part of the implementation of the directive. Otherwise, it is only one and perhaps the smallest step to take".
The minimum wage directive in the EU was adopted in October 2022. It does not include specific figures, however, according to rapporteurs, 80 per cent of workers should be covered by collective bargaining. Its serious increase is the basis of the directive.
MEP Agnes Jongerius also believes that the increase in Bulgaria is not enough to ensure a decent life for working people. She said, "I think that for countries like Bulgaria there is a particular need for more people to be covered by collective bargaining in the hope that this will lead to a greater increase in wages. Also, the formula that links the minimum wage to the average wage may lead the former to a higher level".
Member States must reportedly transpose the minimum wage directive into their national laws by November 15, 2024.
Source: novinite.com
(Quotes via original reporting)