Cabinet approves pay rise for public sector workers

The Lithuanian Cabinet approved on Wednesday a proposal to raise the basic amount used for calculating public-sector salaries by 3 euros to 176 euros next January.

The proposed increase is yet to be approved by the parliament.

Social Security and Labor Minister Linas Kukuraitis says the measure is in line with the National Collective Agreement and will concern all civil servants, employees of state and municipal budget institutions, state officials, judges, military personnel and politicians.

"Around 200,000 workers -- from the lowest-earning employee working under an employment contract to the Constitutional Court president -- would see their salaries and other payments rise by between 12 and 96.9 euros," he told the Cabinet on Wednesday.

Some 60 million euros will be allocated in next year's budget for this purpose, according to the minister.