The German minimum wages according to the EU Commission boss, not for a dignified life. The coalition in Berlin is divided.

risk-of-poverty work photo: imago

BRUSSELS taz | The EU Commission urges Germany to increase the minimum wage significantly. In addition, it argues for a harmonisation of minimum wages at the EU level. A fixed unit pay for all of the 28 member States should not, however, said social security Commissioner Nicolas Schmit on Tuesday in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

The initiative is part of the strategy of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, promised an "economy in the service of the people". This also includes wages that allow a decent standard of living significantly above the poverty threshold, according to the new EU leadership. For Schmit is now.

The year of the minimum wage in Germany rose by 16 cents to of 9,35 Euro per hour. This is not suitable to protect against the risk of poverty, according to a Commission paper to be discussed with employers and trade unions. For this, he spent nearly 50 percent of the median wage level is too low. Unlike the average wage, many people more or less earn the median salary the same. In Germany, he is 3.304 euros gross.

in the opinion of the experts, the minimum wage must be at 60 percent of median, in order to protect from poverty. In countries like France or Bulgaria this is already the case today. Other EU members like Sweden, Austria or Italy have, to date, however, no statutory minimum wage, 22 member countries. The Commission criticises Germany and the Czech Republic, Estonia and Malta.

set Other countries on collective agreements – and have gone pretty well so far. Schmit wants to impose in the future no minimum wage, but ensure that the wages of productivity and poverty protects. It is not egalitarianism, but a harmonisation upwards, it is called in Brussels.

unions can live with that, well, the employers have, however, announced resistance. Wage policy did not belong to the tasks of the EU Commission, you mean. As the tug-of-war is based, is unclear. The authorities in Brussels want to first wait for the consultations with the social partners.

Probably before the summer break, the EU wants to make the Commission a legislative proposal. This proposal could then be, under the German EU presidency discussed, the on 1. July starts. The Federal government would then have to provide an agreement. Nearly 200,000 people in this country dependent on government aid, even though they work full time. The coalition is on the subject of not agree: The SPD calls for 12 Euro, the Union is slowing.