New proposal for higher pay for night, weekend, and holiday work

The government agreed with companies and labor unions on the gradual imposition of higher pay for night, weekend, and holiday work. Starting on May 1, 2018, the night work surcharge will increase from the current 20% of the minimum wage to 30%, and to 40% as of May 1, 2019. This applies to general work, while for risky work, the increases will be to 35% and 50%. For companies depending on night work, such as bakeries, the increase will be to 25% and 35%. Companies may agree with labor unions on lower surcharges, but these must be at least 35%. The surcharge for holiday work will increase from 50% to 100% of the employee’s wage. The newly introduced surcharge for Saturday work will be 25% of the minimum wage as of May 1, 2018, and 50% from May 1, 2019. The surcharges will be 50% and 100% of the minimum wage for Sunday work.

A 10-man bakery paid €4,800 in the surcharges in 2017, and would pay €7,000 under the new rules. It would pay €10,000 based on the government’s initial proposal. Companies complain the surcharges are the highest of all neighboring countries.

Parliament will discuss the higher pay shortly.

(Pravda/1)