„Minimal wage, i.e. not less than…”

On 01.01.2015, Germany introduced the new act on minimal wage. Previous regulations concerned only selected branches and now, there is introduced one common minimal wage rate of 8.5€ per hour (gross) and its applicability is extended for all branches and all employees all over Germany.

Although the minimal wage is nothing new in the EU and still in 2014, 21 of 28 membership states had a set minimal wage, German regulations evoked a serious discussion. Why? First, because this stake is relatively high. To compare, Polish minimal wage in 2015 is 1750 PLN i.e. about 11 PLN gross per hour, so 3 times less than the German one.
Secondly, Germany firmly cared  over an efficient execution of new law,  for this aim introducing proper  control authorities and determining  severe sanctions for employment below „the minimum”  (even up to 500.000 €). Thirdly, there is  a certain „common” solidarity  of each employer for obeying the obligation  of providing the minimal wage also  in case of own providers. Thanks to this,  a driver employed in Poland, working in Germany,  in case of violating the law to have  the minimal wage, can demand  an indemnity not only from his Polish  employer but also from German company.  What is the businessmen reaction? German  ones are trying to relay the risk by demanding  from Polish entrepreneurs „obligatory” agreements  on a voluntary use of the new German  act,
a Poles… can either sign an agreement  and pay employees the wage which is  completely enviable in Polish circumstances  or to lose a cooperation with a German client  and fire employees due to a lack  of orders. It is not strange that the minimal wage  is controversial even in the eyes of economists.

Przeczytaj ten artykuł w wersji polskiej: http://www.businessmantoday.org/placa-minimalna-czyli-niz/