Slovakia, Bratislava - The minimum wage in Slovakia rose by 4.1 percent to €307.70 per month as of January 1, in line with a Government decision from October.

The Slovak Labour Ministry originally planned to increase the minimum wage of €295.5 per month by 8.1 percent as proposed by the unions. The Tripartite partners have met to negotiate the issue several times since August, but were unable to reach agreement, and the Government decided to set the increase at 4.1 percent.

"I insist that this (increase) shouldn't have the sort of impact that could cause a problem," said Labour Minister Viera Tomanova, adding that the Government by this step is protecting the most vulnerable group of citizens that work for the minimum wage.

The original increase proposal of 8.1 percent was in this way divided to cover the 2010-11 period. "If the level of the minimum wage isn't agreed on by the social partners, the increase in 2011 will reach another 4 percent above the level of the minimum wage that will be in place," said Tomanova.

(TASR)