Trialogue negotiations on minimum wages to start

On 6 December 2021, the Council of the EU adopted a general approach to the proposal for a Directive on minimum wages.

HOTREC welcomed most of the outcomes – such as the recognition of the autonomy of the social partners; the exclusion of any obligations to conclude collective agreements; and the fact that 70% of collective bargaining coverage is not considered as an objective, but only an indicative threshold. With regard to the promotion of statutory minimum wages, despite the fact that the criteria are binding, we consider that it is quite broad, and it is positive that it includes productivity.

The European Parliament plenary approved the report on minimum wage adopted by the EP EMPL Committee as its mandate for the trialogue negotiations. HOTREC fears that this proposal might interfere with the autonomy of social partners and statutory minimum wage systems. In view of reaching a balanced compromise, HOTREC issued its position for the trialogue negotiations and counts on the support of both co-legislators.