Germany: a majority of Länder is about to support a bill introducing universal minimum wage

The issue of the introduction of universal minimum wage was revived after the Land of Thuringia, run by a conservative/social-democratic coalition, presented an initiative for a bill introducing universal minimum wage in Germany. After the Land of Saarland announced its support on Wednesday, September 12, there is now a majority in favor of the bill in the Bundesrat, the regional chamber, which will give an opinion on the subject on September 21. If the text is accepted, the Bundestag's MPs will have to take hold of the subject. The Thuringian bill was introduced at the same time as the federal statistics showing that one in five active people works for less than 10 euros an hour before tax. Finally, the political parties are fighting over a bill to create a "minimum old-age pension" scheme. (Ref. 120527)
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

On Monday, September 10, Christine Lieberknecht, the conservative Prime Minister of the Land of Thuringia, presented her “Bill determining universal minimum wage,” which she intends to give to the Bundesrat on September 21 for approval. The text provides for the introduction of minimum wage across all sectors in Germany. A committee made up of experts and social partners’ representatives would later determine its amount. On Wednesday, Saarland, run, as Thuringia, by a conservative/social-dem

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Portugal: open consultation on the transposition of the Pay Transparency Directive
The news. On 5 August 2026, the Portuguese government published a document proposing a draft text to transpose the EU Pay Transparency Directive as the basis for a public consultation open until...
EU: the Commission will set up an Expert Group on the impact of AI in the world of work
The news. On 22 July 2026, the European Commission published a progress report on the EU-27’s achievements regarding the objectives of the European Pillar of Social Rights, reinforced by the...
Belgium: toward an additional five days of leave following the birth of a child
The news. On 18 July, the Belgian federal government approved a draft bill introducing an additional five days of leave following the birth of a child. This entitlement would be added to existing...
Germany: a national action plan to strengthen collective bargaining
The news. On 22 July, the German federal government unveiled a national action plan to promote collective bargaining in response to the requirements of the EU minimum wage directive. The directive...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
EU: the Commission will set up an Expert Group on the impact of AI in the world of work
The news. On 22 July 2026, the European Commission published a progress report on the EU-27’s achievements regarding the objectives of the European Pillar of Social Rights, reinforced by the...