BULGARIA IN THE BOTTOM OF EUROPE PAY LIST

A yawning pay gap exists between rich and poor countries in Europe, Irish Finfacts reports citing report published this month by the Federation of European Employers (FedEE).

According to the Pay in Europe 2006 report, the top ten countries and territories in the European pay league are: Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Germany, Guernsey (Channel Islands), Isle of Man, The Netherlands and Finland.

Bulgaria is in the bottom of the list ranked 46th. Albania is 44th, followed by Ukraine. Belarus and Moldova come after Bulgaria.

Finfacts cites data saying that the minimal wage in Bulgaria is BGN 160 (EUR 81.80), whereas in neighbouring Romania it is EUR 97.07.

In Europe, statutory minimum wage rates range from just EUR 23 a month in the Russian Federation to EUR 1,503 a month in Luxembourg.