The 8% pay cut will affect only some 30% of the staff in education whose base pay is already consistent with the rules that should apply for the public sector. Some 13% of the staff will have their pay cut by 6%.

The same cut will be faced by about 12% of civil servants and 11% of the staff in public agencies and other institutions. Another 39% of civil servants will have their pay cut by 4%.

Meanwhile, a 2% rise in base pay is envisaged for 16% of those employed in education, while the pay of 86% of health employees, 81% of those working in social security and 70% of those in science will not be affected by the changes.

Other types of compensation, including compensation for travelling expenses and meals, will also decrease as of 1 June, which should bring EUR 12m in savings in 2012 and EUR 25m in 2013.

Holiday allowances in the public sector for this year will depend on one's pay and will range from EUR 692 for those with the lowest pay to EUR 100 for the top earners. The allowance must be paid out by 1 July.

Next year, the highest holiday allowance will stay the same, while those in between will decrease. Top earners will receive no allowance.

Savings on pay and other benefits of public sector employees should amount to EUR 134m this year, while the correction of the inconsistencies in the public sector pay system will cost the state EUR 102m.