Innovations of Greek Law 5163/2024 Transposing Adequate Minimum Wage Directive (EU) 2022/2041

Abstract

This article examines the main legal and institutional innovations introduced by Greek Law 5163/2024, which transposes Directive (EU) 2022/2041 on adequate minimum wages. Law 5163/2024 replaces the earlier, narrowly framed domestic regime with a comprehensive framework that establishes universal coverage and introduces new statutory definitions; extends minimum-wage protection to the public sector; mandates the development of an action plan to promote collective bargaining; strengthens the institutional architecture for evidence-based wage-setting; and institutes an automatic annual adjustment mechanism, subject to specific suspension grounds and safeguarded by a non-regression clause. The article analyses, interprets, and assesses each innovation, highlighting associated interpretative and governance challenges.