Brussels to push for EU-wide minimum wage

EurActiv ^ | 17 April 2012

[Olog-hai]

The European Commission will propose tomorrow (18 April) introducing a minimum salary in countries like Germany where it does not exist yet, and raise wages where they are considered too low, according to a draft seen by EurActiv.

Having a job is not a recipe against poverty in Europe. Indeed, more than 8% of European workers live with salaries that keep them below the poverty threshold, EU figures show.

“The risk of in-work poverty is high, particularly in countries with uneven earnings distribution and low minimum wages, among people with temporary contracts and in low work intensity and single parent households,” reads the Commission communication, ‘Towards a job-rich recovery’, which the EU executive will publish on Wednesday.

Against this background, made worse by the ongoing economic crisis, the EU commissioner in charge of social affairs, László Andor, is proposing to introduce minimum wages across Europe and to raise them where possible.

“Setting minimum wages help prevent a destructive race to the bottom in the cost of labor, and are an important factor in ensuring decent job quality,” reads the draft communication which the college of commissioners is set to adopt tomorrow.

The proposal will likely fuel debate in the French presidential election, and hearten President Nicolas Sarkozy who has been calling for an end to what he calls "social dumping" within the EU single market. …

[Olog-hai]

Well, we all see how well that worked in San Francisco, didn’t we . . . just ask Subway how well they can afford to sell $5 Foot-Long subs there.

[cornfedcowboy]

This is a good strategy if their goal is to increase unemployment.

[BfloGuy]

One of the few solutions to the Euro crisis is to let wages in the PIIGS fall to make them more competitive with highly-capitalized Germany. This, of course, would prevent that.

More European idiocy.

[broken_arrow1]

Probably the worst socialist-inspired ideology is minimum wage. It keeps otherwise healthy people on the unemployment compensation tet.

The big lie - socialists claim business will suppress workers with low wages; however it would get several unskilled young people into the factory, and an aggressive individual can climb the skill ladder from apprentice to journeyman to become a highly-skilled laborer. There will always be some less motivated folks who don’t care if they push a broom the rest of their lives, but at least they would be off the taxpayers wallet!

Minimum wage is BAD deal for young people.

[Moltke]

Indeed, more than 8% of European workers live with salaries that keep them below the poverty threshold, EU figures show.

The 'poverty threshold' is arbitrary (and set ridiculously high), so they can adjust it to whatever propaganda it is they're trying to sell.

[Caulkhead]

Another stupid EU idea that will have to be veto’d by the UK govt.