8.2.1
Employment Practice – Living Wage
The University of Thessaly (UTh) is committed to ensuring that all employees — including permanent, contractual, and outsourced staff — receive fair and equitable compensation that supports a dignified standard of living.
All University remuneration practices comply fully with the Ministerial Decree governing compensation in Greek Higher Education Institutions, which guarantees wages that are substantially above the national poverty line for all categories of employees.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to:
Ensure compliance with national legislation governing the remuneration of academic and administrative staff;
Guarantee that all employees and contracted personnel receive a living wage that reflects the real cost of living in Greece;
Promote equity, fairness, and social justice in all employment practices;
Demonstrate the University’s contribution to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 1 (No Poverty).
Legal and Strategic Framework
This policy is guided by:
Ministerial Decree on Faculty and Staff Remuneration, as established by the Hellenic Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports;
Law 4957/2022, Article 144 (Employment and Social Protection in Higher Education);
Law 4472/2017, Articles 123–127 (Unified Public Sector Wage Scale);
EU Directive 2022/2041 on Adequate Minimum Wages in the European Union;
European Pillar of Social Rights, Principle 6 (“Wages that provide for a decent standard of living”);
University of Thessaly Social Responsibility and Equality Strategy 2030.
Scope
This policy applies to:
All permanent and contractual faculty and staff employed by the University;
All outsourced or subcontracted service providers (e.g., catering, cleaning, maintenance, and security personnel);
Suppliers and contractors engaged through the University’s procurement processes.
Key Provisions
- Living Wage Commitment
Faculty and staff wages are determined by Ministerial Decree, which sets remuneration levels significantly above the national poverty line and in line with qualifications, responsibilities, and years of service.
This ensures that all members of the academic and administrative community receive a fair and sustainable income that supports a decent standard of living.
The University of Thessaly reaffirms its commitment to maintaining income equity across all employee categories.
- Outsourced and Contracted Personnel
While external contractors operate under private law, the University requires them to certify compliance with national labor and wage standards, ensuring no worker is compensated below the statutory minimum or below fair living conditions.
All service contracts include clauses mandating wage compliance, monitored through the Procurement Office and the Internal Audit Unit.
- Wage Transparency
The University will publish an annual remuneration statement confirming compliance with applicable Ministerial and national wage standards.
Transparency in pay practices is upheld as a principle of institutional accountability and good governance.
- Continuous Review and Adjustment
Any future Ministerial Decree revisions or collective wage adjustments will be immediately implemented by the University.
The Human Resources Department will ensure that faculty, staff, and contractors are promptly informed of any changes affecting compensation levels.
- Alignment with International Standards
Although faculty and staff remuneration is centrally regulated, the University ensures that pay practices are aligned with European and international standards on fair work and decent living conditions.
The University promotes the non-discrimination principle in pay, guaranteeing equal compensation for work of equal value, regardless of gender, age, or employment status.
Governance
Responsible Authority: Rector
Operational Oversight: Human Resources Department
Supporting Units: Procurement Office, Internal Audit Office, Legal Affairs Office
Review
This policy will be reviewed every two years or immediately following any change in national remuneration legislation or Ministerial Decrees affecting higher education staff pay.
Through this policy, the University of Thessaly affirms its role as a model public institution committed to fair employment, living wages, and social sustainability.