The minimum monthly wage will increase from the current €580 to €623 from the beginning of next year, according to an agrement between the Labour Ministry and representatives of employers' associations. This will amount to 57% of the average wage in Slovakia in 2019. At the same time, the labour minister gave up his intention to introduce a starting minimum wage for the long-term unemployed. The trade unionists walked out of the tripartite meeting and suspended social dialogue in protest that the minister had invited only employers' representatives to individual consultations about the minimum wage. The Trade Unions Confederation has demanded an increase in the lowest gross wage to €656 , in accordance with legislation currently in effect stipulating that the minimum wage next year should be equal to 60% of the average wage in Slovakia for 2019.
