Criticisms Mount as Germany’s Minimum Wage Increase Falls Short: A Slap in the Face for Workers

The chair of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), Yasmin Fahimi, has sharply criticized the planned minimum wage increase of 41 cents. “This mini increase is a slap in the face for almost six million employees who work for the minimum wage in this country,” she told the “Bild am Sonntag”. Employers “simply disregarded” the new statutory minimum wage from last year and completely ignored the inflation rate. Germany’s minimum wage is thus below the EU minimum wage directive of 13.53 euros. “The Ministry of Labor must now respond to this scandalous ignorance,” Fahimi demands. “The EU directive must be implemented into law immediately and the role of the presidency of the Commission neutralized.” Green leader Ricarda Lang called the decision of the minimum wage commission “regrettable” because it “de facto means a loss of income for people”. “In our country, everyone should be able to live from their work. This is a requirement of fairness and appreciation and must apply especially in times of high inflation,” Lang told BamS. “In future, when setting an appropriate minimum wage, inflation should also be systematically taken into account as a criterion.” +++