Panayiotis Rougalas
Although still being discussed, and will continue until year's end, the national minimum wage in Cyprus is likely to range from 865.1 euros to 1,038.1 euros.
The above amounts correspond to 55% up to 66% of our national median salary, valued at 1,573 euros. The proportion of minimum wages in European countries varies and ranges from 40% to 66% of their national median wage. In Cyprus, the minimum wage is already institutionalized at 870 euros and after 6 months of continuous employment with the same employer at 924 euros for nine different occupations, so it is estimated that the amount of the national minimum will not be below the salary of the statutory "first stage".
Discussions on the minimum wage in Cyprus in the presence of the International Labor Organization (ILO) began the first week of November, and will be followed by discussions in smaller groups between relevant Ministries, unions and employers.
In 2020, most Member States of the European Union (EU) have a statutory minimum wage (21 out of 27), while in six others wage levels have been set through collective bargaining (one of which is Cyprus). Minimum wages vary widely in the EU, from € 312 in Bulgaria to € 2,142 in Luxembourg based on 2020 data.
The nine occupations that have set the minimum wage in Cyprus are salesman, clerk, nursing assistant, pediatrician, babysitter, school assistant, school caregiver, security guard and cleaner.
