Latvia
The monthly minimum wage in Latvia increases to 128 euros this month. This puts it at 36% of average pay as at June 2005. However, rapidly rising earnings levels means that the minimum wage is likely to fall to only 30% of average earnings by June 2006. The report from the EIRO industrial relations observatory reveals that the minimum wage is lower now in proportion to average earnings than it was 10 years ago.
Read more at > EIRO
The EIRO industrial relations observatory reports that the government and social partners have agreed new minimum wage rates including a new three-tier minimum wage system. For 2006 the government has recommended a 10.5% increase to HUF 63,000 (254 euros). The second rate for jobs requiring a vocational qualification will be 10% higher at HUF 70,000 and the third minimum wage rate will be another 10% higher at HUF 77,000 for jobs requiring a degree. The Ministry of Finance has also indicated the level of minimum wages up to 2010, with the lowest rising to 90,000. Union targets for the minimum
The Boeckler trade union-linked research organisation has published its annual review of trends in minimum wages across Europe. The survey finds increases averaging 4.6% over the past year, ahead of the 3.7% average recorded in 2014. The report includes information on a number of countries outside the European Union - Turkey, FYRO Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, Moldova, Russian and Ukraine. The last three countries record the lowest level of minimum wages when converted into euros at only 54, 53 and 34 euro cents per hour, respectively. [Read more at > Boeckler (DE)->http://www.boeckler.de/cps
The monthly and hourly minimum wage rates are set to rise by just over 9%, taking the monthly amount to EUR 607 and the hourly rate to EUR 3.72. The minimum wage is discussed in a tripartite council which takes into account a number of factors but the increases are also linked to specific targets - since 2017 it was stipulated that the ratio of the minimum wage to the average wage should be kept between 45% and 50%. It is also linked to trends in minimum and average wages across the European Union.
