Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) – Baden-Württemberg’s Economics Minister Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut (CDU) is resisting a significant increase in the minimum wage through new legal requirements. The CDU politician said in Stuttgart that with the recession as a result of Covid-19, the effects of the statutory minimum wage in Germany would have to be observed for the first time in a phase of economic downturn. “That is one of the reasons why I would advise against intervening in this well-balanced system. Against the background of the economic effects of the pandemic, further developments should now be awaited. “
The CDU politician also warned that a disproportionate increase in the minimum wage could lead to the loss of jobs with low qualification requirements and impair the positive development of the economy. At the beginning of the new year, the statutory minimum wage rose from 9.35 euros per hour to 9.50 euros. A further step-by-step increase to EUR 10.45 by mid-2022 has already been decided. The increases were recommended by the minimum wage commission, which is primarily made up of unions and employers.
Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) wants the minimum wage commission to negotiate according to changed criteria from 2022. In the future, according to Heil’s plans, the committee should also orientate itself on the average wage in Germany – so far it has mainly been the previous collective wage development. This should achieve a minimum wage of 12 euros, Heil had suggested. He had received approval for his move from the union.
Südwestmetall boss Wilfried Porth criticized Heil’s advance. “I am not surprised that political demands for a higher minimum wage are being made in election year 2021 – which, however, I consider extremely dangerous.” The minimum wage commission, with the participation of the social partners, is responsible for the regular adjustment of the minimum wage with good reason – in order to prevent the minimum wage from becoming the pawn of the political competition that is being observed.
“Anyone who wants to politically increase the minimum wage to 12 euros an hour is undermining collective bargaining autonomy,” warned the Daimler personnel director. Because such a level would currently intervene in over 190 collective agreements and more than 570 collectively negotiated wage groups.
Criticism of Hoffmeister-Krauts and Porth’s statements came from the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) and the SPD. The minimum wage has so far only had a positive impact on income and employment, but nobody can live decently from 9.50 euros an hour, said DGB state chief Martin Kunzmann. “Those who work must also be able to make a living from their work,” he demanded. “The minimum wage must be raised to twelve euros. Then it protects the employees from poverty. “
SPD parliamentary group deputy Katja Mast called the criticism of the increase plans “absurd”. «It has nothing to do with the reality of life. No matter what the CDU says about it: The SPD stays on course – work has to be worthwhile. “
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