Greek Labour Minister George Katrougalos claimed the minimum wage level would not be discussed during the new round of negotiations between Greece and its creditors in September. Speaking to Skai TV, Katrougalos argued Greece’s creditors did not want to scrap the 13th and 14th monthly wages, while he admitted that pensioners that had lost the social solidarity benefit (EKAS) were justifiably grieved , but added that ‘measures were coming that will alleviate their loss’. On the stance of the IMF during September’s talks, the Minister said it would be isolated, stressing that the only matter that would be discussed concerned the wage paying mechanism and not the 13th and 14th wages. Katrougalos admitted that Greece would have to comply with the European Council’s deacon on mass lay-offs.