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Saskia Esken (SPD): "Impulse for higher collective wages"
Photo: Kay Nietfeld / picture alliance / dpa
Millions of employees in Germany are currently suffering from high inflation and the massive increase in energy prices.
The increase in the minimum wage from 10.45 euros to 12 euros, which has been in effect since October 1, is intended to relieve these people.
For SPD leader Saskia Esken, a similar step is now due for everyone who receives collective wages.
"The minimum wage is always an impetus for higher wages - that's particularly important at the moment," said Esken of the "Stuttgarter Zeitung" and the "Stuttgarter Nachrichten".
The unions, which are now entering into collective bargaining disputes, should "make it clear that agreements must reflect the rate of inflation".
Employers are critical of Esken's initiative.
The Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA) accuses the SPD leader of "not just economic ignorance, but also a lack of respect" for the work of trade unions and employers.
»The SPD leader would like to shape collective bargaining policy in the German Bundestag directly.
It should be stopped."
»One-off intervention«
Federal Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil (SPD) had previously assured that no further political intervention in the development of the minimum wage was planned.
"For further increases, the minimum wage commission will take over its important task again," said the SPD politician of the Funke media group.
Normally, the minimum wage commission, which is staffed by representatives of the social partners, determines the amount.
However, the increase to 12 euros is based on an unprecedented government intervention.
The increase was one of the central promises made by the SPD in the last federal election campaign.
The minimum wage will always remain an absolute lower wage limit, Heil continued.
»In order to get better wages and working conditions, we have to promote collective bargaining in Germany.
52 percent is not enough.«
Ifo boss warns of further inflation
Clemens Fuest, head of the Munich Institute for Economic Research (ifo), warned of a further increase in inflation.
"Insofar as the minimum wage increases the income of vulnerable groups in the lowest income bracket, it is helpful," Fuest told the "Rheinische Post".
However, it is a particular burden for small companies, which are already suffering from rising energy prices.
“As far as possible, they will pass on the higher wages through higher prices, which will increase inflation.”
The minimum wage will increase nominally by around 15 percent, said Fuest.
But: Against the background of the current inflation trend, the real wage increase is reduced to 5 percent.
rai/dpa
