Dialogos

AKEL Criticizes Minimum Wage Decision, Says It Doesn't Meet Workers' Needs

Published January 5, 2026, 12:02
AKEL Criticizes Minimum Wage Decision, Says It Doesn't Meet Workers' Needs

AKEL has expressed strong reactions to the Christodoulides government's decision on the minimum wage, characterizing it as insufficient to cover the basic needs of workers and downgrading Cyprus in relation to the European average. The left-wing party argues that setting the minimum wage below 60% of the median wage, as proposed by the European Directive, is problematic. Furthermore, AKEL denounces the absence of an hourly minimum wage, which creates a risk of abusive practices, where workers who work more hours are paid the same as those who work fewer. This, according to AKEL, does not reduce social inequalities and does not substantially support low-wage earners. AKEL states that the initial gross wage of 979 euros and its increase to 1088 euros after six months are not enough to cover basic needs such as housing, electricity, food, and fuel in Cyprus in 2026. It points out that Cyprus ranks among the last places in Europe in terms of minimum wage in terms of purchasing power, with countries such as Greece, Romania, Poland, Slovenia, and Croatia ranking higher. AKEL calls on the Christodoulides government to reconsider its decisions and ensure a real improvement in the income and living standards of workers.