Dombrovskis: minimum monthly wage cannot be raised

  • 2012-04-12

RIGA - It is not possible to raise the minimum monthly wage more than it is now, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis (Unity) said in an interview on the Latvian Radio 1 program ''Krustpunkta'' on April 11, reports LETA.

Even though the government has gradually increased the minimum monthly wage, including from 180 lats (256 euros) to 200 lats during the crisis, it is important to assess the current situation within the context of all Baltic countries, pointed out Dombrovskis.

He also confirmed that the minimum monthly wage cannot be raised, since it is currently at the same level or even slightly higher than in neighbor states.

PM admitted that the number of people receiving the minimum monthly wage in Latvia is considerable - around one-third of all employees. He also noted that higher minimum monthly wages will not solve the problem of under-the-table payments.

Dombrovskis reminded that the government plans to reduce labor taxes and raise the monthly untaxed minimum on January 1, 2013.