If current austerity policies continue, the minimum wage will be at the level of the Shenzhen region in China.” This is basically the conclusion made by the European trade union confederation and the European trade union Institute in their annual report, “Benchmarking Working Europe.” ETUI's researcher Romuald Jagodzinski explains to Planet Labor the economic and social divides and trends pointed out by the study. (Ref. 130355)
- What are the main findings of this year’s study?
Romuald Jagodzinski. The most important finding is that inequalities we pointed out in our Benchmarking Working Europe report of 2012 have shown to be consistent in long-term and consequently we can speak of divergences now. Those divergent trends bring Europe apart and create a multi-speed Europe. In the 2012 report, inequalities were a snapshot of a certain situation in time. Divergences are the result, inequalities being persistently present and widening continuously. It is the perspective in time which makes the difference.
- Is the main divide still between Northern and Southern countries?
RJ. Yes, but not only. It is our important finding this year: the traditional division remains between the north and south, but there are ridges in Europe too.
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