About: Minimum wage

German pay deal heralds end of wage restraint in Europe’s largest economy

A hard-fought deal on pay and working hours for industrial employees in southwestern Germany sets a benchmark for millions of workers across Europe's largest economy and heralds wage growth in the coming years.

German coalition talks: Between old-age poverty and cannabis legalisation

The first round of the German coalition talks on social policy was a meeting to get an initial feeling for where the parties stand. However, some common things are emerging: in the fight against old-age poverty, shortage of nurses and long-term unemployment. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Controversial EU labour rules tackle truck drivers’ pay and working conditions

Truck drivers are the latest workers to come into the European Commission's sights in its bid to build a more 'social Europe', with new rules designed to make sure drivers from lower-wage countries don't undercut better paid workers when they travel to other EU member states.

Czech transport minister: EU labour law for truckers must avoid East-West divide

The European Commission is expected to propose changes to employment law for truck drivers and rules on road tolls in May. Czech Transport Minister Dan Ťok suggested a compromise and said he isn't ready to challenge Germany's controversial road toll bill.

Mélenchon and Hamon unable to overcome differences on Europe

Discussions on a possible coalition between the two left-wing candidates for France’s presidential election appear to have broken down. Their fundamentally different views on the future of Europe make any partnership unworkable. EURACTIV France reports.

Minimum wages soar across Europe in bid to curb social inequality

Minimum wages increased in most EU countries last year in an effort to redress social dumping, a new research has found.

MEPs call for EU law requiring minimum wage in every country

MEPs are asking the European Commission to require member states to introduce national minimum wages in a move that will unnerve politicians across Europe, business lobby groups and even some trade unions.

Three principles to make or break European Pillar of Social Rights

The European Pillar of Social Rights is the European Commission’s attempt to create the social ‘triple A’ rating that its president, Jean-Claude Juncker, set as a goal of his term in office. Its success is hinged on whether the EU puts social rights at the heart of its work, writes Jana Hainsworth.

Paris and Berlin hit back against ‘abusive practices’ in the road transport sector

France, Germany and six other European countries have asked the European Commission to examine the consequences of the "abusive practices" and "fierce competition" from certain states in the road transport sector.

Minimum wage debate in EU centres on social dumping, ‘fair pay’

Germany’s adoption of a minimum wage in 2015 and the EU’s repeated talks over posted workers have paved the way for the adoption of a European minimum wage. But political resistance in some quarters is still strong. EURACTIV France reports.

IMF recommends paying refugees below the minimum wage

The International Monetary Fund has highlighted the positive effect of public spending on refugees on European GDP, but has also recommended that employers pay them less than the minimum wage. EURACTIV France reports. 

Finland to test unconditional basic income for Finns in 2017

Finland is looking to experiment in 2017 with a basic monthly income for Finns, a universal and unconditional monthly payment seen as a way to reform the welfare system and cut spending, Finnish authorities said Tuesday.

Germany’s minimum wage effect: Fewer workers receiving unemployment aid

Effective since the beginning of 2015, the minimum wage seems to be paying off, with statistics showing that fewer workers have been dependent on the Hartz IV unemployment benefit. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Brussels fights Germany over minimum wage for truckers

The European Commission launched legal action against Germany on Tuesday (19 May), accusing the government of illegally applying the national minimum wage to a number of trucking and haulage companies from Austria, Poland and Hungary.

Germany, Poland clash on minimum wage

Germany and Poland are seeking closer economic cooperation and stronger ties on energy policy, an area that is especially sensitive for the two partners. But government consultations in Warsaw were more difficult regarding minimum wage issues. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Merkel government debates altering minimum wage law

On Friday (10 April), Germany’s minimum wage will reach its 100th day, since taking effect at the start of this year. But two weeks before a meeting of coalition leaders, a new dispute has arisen among the ruling parties over corrections to the measure. EURACTIV Germany reports.

European Parliament divided over German minimum wage regulation

Should national minimum wage laws apply to truck drivers passing through a certain EU member state? Countries with lower wages are sceptical, and MEPs are uncertain. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Survey: Minimum wages uneven in EU

New EU data shows that there are huge differences in the minimum wage workers receive, depending on the countries in which they're employed. 

Minimum wage unlikely to remedy rising poverty in Germany

Twelve million people in Germany are categorised as poor, more than ever recorded according to a study by a German welfare association, which indicates the country’s new minimum wage is not likely to help the situation. EURACTIV Germany reports.

French government think tank calls for EU social reform

The French government think tank France Stratégie has called for social issues such as a common European unemployment insurance, investment and a standardised minimum wage to be tackled at the European level. EURACTIV France reports. 

ECB backs Bundesbank call for higher German wages

The European Central Bank supports the Bundesbank in its appeals for higher wage deals in Germany, Der Spiegel magazine quoted ECB Chief Economist Peter Praet as saying on Sunday (27 July).

Juncker calls for minimum wage in all EU countries

European Commission President-designate Jean-Claude Juncker said on Tuesday (15 July) that he would work towards the introduction of a minimum social wage in each member state of the EU.

Paris floats plan for EU-wide minimum wage

A Europe-wide minimum wage, adapted to each country, would support the EU's economic revival and tackle "low cost" labour from Eastern European countries, according to a new report for the French Economic Ministry. EURACTIV France reports.

Bundestag approves Germany’s first universal minimum wage

The German Bundestag gave the green light on Thursday (3 July) to introduce a universal wage floor in the Federal Republic, drawing the final line under a 10-year political debate and with only five representatives voting against the law. EURACTIV Germany reports.