Europe’s social partners do not yet wish to enter into negotiations over an EU-wide fair minimum wage considering such a stage as still ‘premature’. Thus their position distilled from their initial replies to the EU Commission’s first consultation phase that was launched at the start of the 2020 and that concluded on 25 February (c.f. article No. 11587). The EU Commission had asked for the partners’ opinions on the potential for a European legislative instrument that could put mechanisms in place which would ensure salary minima set at certain levels, and coverage so that all worker avoid living in poverty.
An analysis of the social partners’ replies to the consultation (started on 14 January 2020 and ended on 25 February 2020 and for more see article No. 11587) shows a overall uniform response in terms of the importance of social dialogue and as regards the need for clear salary adjustments procedures. Opinions do however clearly diverge over the relevance and contours of a new specific European minimum wage tool, with employers calling for broader economic measures.
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