Fri Sep 13 04:16:00 UTC 2024: ## Greek Government Unveils New Measures to Boost Demographics and Support Families
**Thessaloniki, Greece** – Labor and Social Security Minister Niki Kerameus announced a series of new measures aimed at boosting demographics, reforming social benefits, and supporting working parents. These measures, detailed during an interministerial press conference in Thessaloniki, were initially outlined by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF).
Key highlights of the government’s plans include:
* **Minimum Wage Increase:** Starting April 1, 2024, the minimum wage will rise to €830, a significant increase from €650 in 2019. This represents a 27.7% increase. The government aims to reach a minimum wage of €950 by 2027.
* **Average Wage Growth:** The average wage has also seen a substantial increase, climbing from €1,036 in 2019 to €1,252 in 2023, marking a 20.8% rise. The goal is to achieve an average wage of €1,500 by 2027.
* **Social Security Reforms:** The government plans to reduce social security contributions and reform unemployment benefits.
* **Support for New Parents:** To promote work-life balance, employers offering non-salary benefits up to €5,000 to new parents within the first year of a child’s birth will be exempt from taxes on those benefits. This exemption extends to an additional €5,000 for each dependent child.
* **Pension Increases:** Starting January 1, 2025, over 2 million pensioners will receive increases ranging from 2.2% to 2.5%. This marks the third consecutive year of pension increases. A special bonus will be provided to pensioners affected by the “personal difference” rule, along with those not eligible for the general pension increases.
These measures demonstrate the government’s commitment to improving the lives of Greek citizens, supporting families, and stimulating economic growth.
First Piper 