There has long been a struggle for a noticeable increase in the statutory minimum wage. Now it comes into effect. In no other federal state are the effects felt more than in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Schwerin/Berlin (dpa/mv) - The increase in the statutory minimum wage to 12 euros gross per hour, effective October 1, ensures higher earnings for many employees in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. According to surveys by the Economic and Social Sciences Institute (WSI) of the trade union-affiliated Hans Böckler Foundation, around 196,000 employees in the north-east will benefit from the increase in the minimum wage. According to the study, 6.64 million employees throughout Germany have earned less than 12 euros per hour so far.
At 31 percent, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has the highest proportion in a comparison of all federal states, in the tourist district of Vorpommern-Rügen it is even 39 percent. Nationwide it is 17.8 percent, in Hamburg 14.7 percent, with part-time employees and mini-jobbers being hardest hit. Experts see the noticeable effects of the new minimum wage in the north-east as evidence of the very low overall income level in the country.
Ingo Schlueter, deputy chairman of the DGB Nord, said that the new lower wage limit would help women and those in marginal part-time employment in particular. In sectors such as hospitality, delivery services and retail, employers often refuse decent wages to workers, and low wages are particularly common in companies without a collective agreement. "The statutory minimum wage is also a means against wage dumping competition from companies that refuse to sign collective agreements," said Schlueter. The new legal wage target met with massive criticism from the business associations.
"The minimum wage can only ever be the lowest stop line," emphasized Schlueter, referring to the recent price increases. "Many are currently seriously worried about what to expect in autumn and winter. Even the new minimum wage cannot compensate for the increased energy and food prices," said Schlueter. He called on the federal government to decide on an energy price cap and a flat-rate energy price as soon as possible. Excessive profits from the large energy and mineral oil companies were to be skimmed off for financing.
Left-wing member of parliament Henning Foerster welcomed the increase in the minimum wage. "But as correct and important as this increase is, it also shows that wages are paid far too low in this country. Even a minimum wage of 12 euros will not protect the many employees from poverty in old age," said Foerster. Only a minimum wage of 13 euros would ensure that employees not only receive the minimum pension after 45 years of work. In view of the current situation, Foerster also warned of further relief, "otherwise the wage increases will fizzle out".
