The SPD wants to push through an increase in the minimum wage to up to 14 euros per hour in 2024. “We will ensure that Germany implements the European minimum wage directive next year,” said party leader Lars Klingbeil picture on sunday. “The SPD will push for this in the federal government.” Then the minimum wage could rise again. “If fully implemented, that would be between 13.50 and 14 euros, according to experts,” he said.
The proposal by the Minimum Wage Commission to raise the minimum wage from 12 to 12.41 euros on January 1, 2024 and a year later to 12.82 euros is not sufficient. “Life has become more expensive, so we generally need higher wages in the country.” He was shocked that employers did not see what the reality of life was like for many millions of employees in Germany. “Inflation eats up wages, they have to think about what they can still afford at the end of the month. More than 41 cents would have been absolutely justified.”
The decision of the Minimum Wage Commission is decisive for the statutory determination. Earlier this week, for the first time in her history, she didn’t agree on her recommendation. The employee representatives considered the increase to be too low, were outvoted and raised serious allegations against the employers’ side.
While the EU Minimum Wage Directive does not set a uniform level, it does set standards for how statutory minimum wages can be set, updated and enforced. In addition, EU countries must set action plans by November 2024 to increase collective bargaining coverage if the rate is below 80 percent.
“Strong shoulders will have more responsibility.”
Kingbeil is also calling for higher taxes for the rich shortly before the federal government in the cabinet decides on its draft budget for 2024. “Strong shoulders will have to bear more responsibility. I know that not everyone in government likes that, but issues of distribution and justice belong on the political agenda,” he said in the picture on sunday.
Under pressure from the FDP, the traffic light government has so far ruled out tax increases. Klingbeil announced fierce negotiations about income and expenditure: “In the next few years we will have to discuss distribution issues very hard again.”