Y. Panagiotou: Fair Cost of Living Allowance (ATA) with Emphasis on Low-Wage Earners (VID)

The Minister of Labor, Yiannis Panagiotou, was hosted on 'Tomes sta Gegonta,' addressing the issue of the ATA (Cost of Living Allowance) and the planned strike.

Mr. Panagiotou emphasized the need to extend the application of the ATA to all employees, to avoid creating different tiers of workers. He stressed that the allocation of the ATA must be fair, with greater emphasis on low-wage earners and the middle class.

He clarified that the government is committed to social dialogue and called on social partners to respond constructively. He also referred to pension increases, noting that the process for submitting reform bills to the House of Representatives will be completed within 2025, with the aim of starting increases in low pensions in January 2027.

Finally, the Minister referred to the pension reform, noting that the last time a comprehensive pension reform was carried out was in 1980.