[Poland] EU minimum wage directive will be implemented

Poland’s Family and Social Affairs Ministry announced on April 24 that the country will transpose the EU Minimum Wage Directive as part of its efforts to adjust the country’s salaries to EU standards, EURACTIV reports.

The move could potentially lead to another minimum wage increase, following January’s rise to 3,490 zlotys (€759) and the expected increase to 3,600 zł (€783) from July.

Speaking to Super Express, Poland’s Deputy Family and Social Affairs Minister Stanisław Szwed said, “As a member of the European Union, we strive for European conditions. We will implement in full the directive on European minimum wage.” 

In order to transpose the directive, the government must first ensure the changes go through the necessary legislative process the minister added.

While the EU directive was adopted in 2021, the local and parliamentary elections later this year are the probable reason the conservative government is only now pushing for its transposition, according to Money.pl reporting.

Under the EU directive, minimum pay must reportedly equal at least half of the state average. For Poland, it should amount to 4,130 zlotys (€898); 640 zlotys (€139) more than the current minimum wage. In addition, the minimum hourly rate will rise by 3.80 zlotys (€0.83) from July.

The directive is primarily addressed to other EU member states since Poland is already close to the indicated minimum pay level, Marcin Klucznik - a fellow at Polish Economic Institute (PIE) - told Money.pl.

Mr Klucznik said Poland either fulfils the directive’s requirements or is very close to fulfilling them, depending on the year. He added that the EU directive would provoke big changes in other EU countries.

Source: EURACTIV

(Link via original reporting)

Poland’s Family and Social Affairs Ministry announced on April 24 that the country will transpose the EU Minimum Wage Directive as part of its efforts to adjust the country’s salaries to EU standards, EURACTIV reports.

The move could potentially lead to another minimum wage increase, following January’s rise to 3,490 zlotys (€759) and the expected increase to 3,600 zł (€783) from July.

Speaking to Super Express, Poland’s Deputy Family and Social Affairs Minister Stanisław Szwed said, “As a member of the European Union, we strive for European conditions. We will implement in full the directive on European minimum wage.” 

In order to transpose the directive, the government must first ensure the changes go through the necessary legislative process the minister added.

While the EU directive was adopted in 2021, the local and parliamentary elections later this year are the probable reason the conservative government is only now pushing for its transposition, according to Money.pl reporting.

Under the EU directive, minimum pay must reportedly equal at least half of the state average. For Poland, it should amount to 4,130 zlotys (€898); 640 zlotys (€139) more than the current minimum wage. In addition, the minimum hourly rate will rise by 3.80 zlotys (€0.83) from July.

The directive is primarily addressed to other EU member states since Poland is already close to the indicated minimum pay level, Marcin Klucznik - a fellow at Polish Economic Institute (PIE) - told Money.pl.

Mr Klucznik said Poland either fulfils the directive’s requirements or is very close to fulfilling them, depending on the year. He added that the EU directive would provoke big changes in other EU countries.

Source: EURACTIV

(Link via original reporting)