The SPD is intensifying efforts to raise Germany's minimum wage to €15 per hour. SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch has issued a warning that legislative action will be considered if the Minimum Wage Commission does not recommend this increase by the end of the year. This stance aligns with the coalition agreement, which aims for a €15 wage by 2026.
Currently, the statutory minimum wage is set at €12.82. The independent commission is tasked with setting the wage based on collective bargaining agreements and the gross median wage. However, special economic circumstances allow for deviations, which some Union politicians find concerning.
The SPD's push for a swift increase comes amid economic uncertainties, leading to skepticism about the feasibility of such a raise. While the SPD believes the commission will support the increase, the proposed legislative intervention highlights the party's commitment to ensuring the wage hike.
The Union, led by CDU's Friedrich Merz, has expressed doubts about the certainty of an increase, reflecting broader concerns about the economic implications. Nonetheless, the SPD remains firm, arguing that the wage increase is crucial despite the current economic challenges. This debate underscores the balancing act between policy goals and economic realities, as both sides navigate the challenges of implementing the coalition's wage commitments.
