Newsroom
After some delay, the social partners have signed, in principle, an agreement on the Cost-of-Living Allowance (ATA) at the Presidential Palace, in the presence of President Nikos Christodoulides.
During his remarks, the President acknowledged that reaching the agreement was not easy. He noted that the ATA had initially been at 50% under uncertain conditions, and now, after 18 months, it has been fully restored to 100%.
President Christodoulides also announced that the ATA will be expanded, benefiting an additional 55,000 workers.
According to a previous report by Kathimerini, the deal came after the President intervened to provide the necessary clarifications to the trade unions, ensuring their approval.
The agreement includes two key changes on issues that had proven contentious between employers and trade unions. The first involves replacing the word measures with policies in the provision requiring employer action. This change allows ministers to extend the ATA to workers who are not originally eligible. The President clarified that under this framework, policies and incentives will be agreed upon with employers regarding such extensions.
The second change concerns the biennial adjustment of the minimum wage, with a commitment to review the issue again in 2028.
