The raise is stipulated in the convergence program for 2012-2015, approved Wednesday. Coupled with the policy of hiring one person for seven vacancies, the Government expects personnel expenses to decline on the medium-term.
The convergence program is revised every year and reported to Brussels, after being approved by the Government.
Following a 25% pay cut in July 2010, public sector employees got a 15% raise last year; to return to their pre-cut salaries, they would need a new raise of around 16%.