G. Karanikas: During this period, it was impossible to discuss an increase in the minimum wage.

«At this time, businesses, and especially retailers, are going through a unique ordeal. We are seeking liquidity injections from all sources, as we have been irreparably damaged by the effects of the pandemic, so it was impossible to discuss any increase,» he stressed, speaking to First Program 91.6 and 105.8 and the show «Morning Company» with Dionysis Hatzimichalis, President of the National Confederation of Greek Commerce (ESEE), George Karanikas.

As he characteristically said, the 2% increase in the minimum wage is symbolic increase and not real, «because it is a fact that €13 per month is very little, but it has to do with timing.».

The position of the Hellenic Confederation of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ESEE), as confirmed by its president, is always in favor of much more generous increases in the minimum wage, «because it is an income for the employee that increases their purchasing power, so we who are dependent on consumption want the employee's wallet to be as full as possible.» However, there can be no employees without companies, explained Mr. Karanikas, «that is why we must save them and all work together to overcome this difficult stage.’.

He added that unemployment is the biggest nightmare, so all jobs should be kept and the situation will be reassessed later. «All employer organizations, the GSEE, scientific bodies, and the Bank of Greece participated in the consultation that preceded the decision throughout the six months prior to the decision. The GSEE was the only one that disagreed, requesting that the minimum wage be set at €751. All other positions were along the same lines, either a freeze or this small symbolic increase, which the government ultimately chose. If the predictions that we will see spectacular GDP growth next year are confirmed, much larger increases will indeed be possible in 2023.

In conclusion, Mr. Karanikas stressed that «we will all get through this crisis together, and small and medium-sized enterprises are the hardest hit,» adding that the percentage of employees paid the minimum wage in the retail sector has increased dramatically over the last four years. More specifically, in 2016, this percentage stood at 19.71% and jumped to 27.1%, which means that more than one in four workers are paid the minimum wage.