EU: minimum wage set to be introduced in Cyprus this year

Of the six European Union member states yet to introduce a minimum wage, Cyprus appears set to be the first to do so, in what could be a first impact of the directive presented by the European Commission at the start of December. The measure promised by the Cyprian government follows talks between social partners, launched at the end of the summer. The minimum wage announced will be around €1,000 per month, which equates to 52.1% of the average wage recorded in the third quarter of 2021 (€1,916) and, as a relative level, would be among the highest in the EU (see article n°12808). Andreas Matsas, secretary general of the Cyprus Workers Confederation (SEK), says: “Cyprus cannot be an exception and ignore the recommendations of the European Commission and the [International Labour Organization] on the introduction of a decent national minimum wage by all member states.” Employers in Cyprus meanwhile are calling for measures to ensure “flexibility”, most notably “review mechanisms”, and do not want the minimum wage to apply to certain professions. At present, the minimum wage (standing at €924) is only applicable for a handful of professions in the former British colony: babysitters, cleaners, paediatricians, sales assistants, education assistants, nurses, security guards and notary clerks. For other professions, the minimum pay level is set by collective bargaining.