EU: minimum wage differences remain between member States

In January 2007, 20 of the 27 EU member states had a national legislation establishing a legal minimum wage. It could strongly vary, from 92 euros a month in Bulgaria to 1.570 euros a month in Luxembourg. This report, expressed in euros from 1 to 17, is reduced from 1 to 7 when purchasing power is taken into account. The number of employees enjoying minimum wage also strongly varies from one country to the other. (Ref. 070542)
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After adjustments were made to take into account the differences in purchasing power, the gaps between member states are smaller, going from a ratio of 17 (in euros) to a ratio of 7 (based on purchasing power). The proportion of employees receiving minimum wage is also very different from one country to the other, going from less than 1% in Spain to 17% in France. According to the minimum wage level expressed in euros, member states are divided into three large groups: 1/ those where minimum wa

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