Labour market

The German minimum wage is rather low

Many EU countries have raised their minimum wages by an average of 4.6 percent. Germany, not yet. Here, the local minimum wage is already low in comparison to the other Western European countries.

In comparison to other Western European countries, the minimum wage in Germany is, according to a study to be rather low. The German minimum wage spent with 8.50 euros per hour under the salary limits of other Western European States, which provided all of them about nine euros, said the economic and Social research Institute (WSI) of the Union-affiliated Hans-Böckler-Foundation in Düsseldorf on Monday.

In the Western European countries the wage rank among boundaries between 8.50 euros in Germany, and 11,12 Euro in Luxembourg. In neighboring France, the minimum wage, therefore, is 9.67 euros, in the Netherlands 9,36 euros, in Ireland, 9,15, and in Belgium 9,10 Euro. In the UK the equivalent of at least 9,23 euros must be paid.

The southern EU countries have lower limits between 3,19 euros in Portugal and 4.20 euros to Malta. Something about Slovenia is 4.57 euros per hour. In most other Central and Eastern European countries, minimum wages are still significantly lower. However, these countries have in comparison to the other EU States caught up to the wage level, meanwhile, said the scientists.

In many countries, minimum wages were increased

According to the study, 22 of the 28 member States of the EU, a General statutory minimum wage. 17 of them have raised their wage floor to the turn of the year. “The increases were, on average, 4.6 percent more than in 2014 and were significantly stronger than in the crisis years,” it said in the investigation. “At the same time, Inflation was very low, the minimum wages in most EU countries, also in real terms.”

The first about a year ago, introduced a minimum wage in Germany of € 8.50 per hour, remained untouched. In the coming months, the minimum wage Commission decides on an increase. Based on the recent collective agreements. The minimum wage could rise from January 2017 to 30 cents to € 8.80.

iw/whom (epd, rtr)