Germany: Ver.di launches new offensive to impose “new” minimum pay in the postal sector

Wage dumping. On January 1, 2008, the federal government imposed, in a decree, that all postal business apply minimum wage, ranging between €8 and €9.8 an hour, negotiated between Ver.di and an employers’ organization (AGV Postdienste) controlled by the Deutsche Post AG (see our dispatch No. 070983). Since April 30th, the sector’s businesses are no longer forced to pay minimum wage. However, even before that date, many companies refused to apply it, arguing that it was subject to legal proceeding (see our dispatch No. 081041). Yet, what Ver.di was afraid of in the early 90s before the liberalization of the postal market has happened. In spite of politicians’ open will to protect employees against social dumping, the postal sector has become, according to Ver.di, a sector characterized by precarious working and pay conditions with wages sometimes amounting to €5.5 an hour. “The economic system where employers pay employees pittance wages thus forcing them to request complementary social benefits is booming in the postal sector” declared Andrea Kocsis, Verdi’s deputy chair. She added: “minimum wage in the postal sector was, is and will be a necessity.”
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

). Yet, what Ver.di was afraid of in the early 90s before the liberalization of the postal market has happened. In spite of politicians’ open will to protect employees against social dumping, the postal sector has become, according to Ver.di, a sector characterized by precarious working and pay conditions with wages sometimes amounting to €5.5 an hour. “The economic system where employers pay employees pittance wages thus forcing them to request complementary social benefits is booming in the p

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
Romania: collective agreement extended to entire insurance sector
On 3 November, Romania’s National Tripartite Council for Social Dialogue approved the extension of the collective labour agreement signed on 23 May by the Confederation of Employers in the...
United Kingdom largely retained within scope of EWCs despite Brexit, study shows
A study published this month by the Institute for Economic and Social Research, the French trade union research organisation, examined how the involvement of British representatives in European...
Spain: government approves creation of ‘intern status’
The Spanish government has paved the way for the creation of a new status for "persons undergoing non-professional practical training in companies, institutions or public or private organisations...
Luxembourg: two pension reform bills submitted to parliament
After lengthy negotiations with the social partners, in mid-October the Luxembourg government submitted two bills to parliament aimed at reforming the pension system to ensure its long-term...
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
Germany: pensioners in work already common practice, study shows
As the German government steps up measures to encourage people to stay in work beyond the legal retirement age, a new study by the Institute of Economic and Social Research (WSI) – an independent...
2
Spain: government approves creation of ‘intern status’
The Spanish government has paved the way for the creation of a new status for "persons undergoing non-professional practical training in companies, institutions or public or private organisations...
3
France: social conference on labour and pensions to proceed without main employers’ group
The preparatory meeting ahead of the social conference on labour and pensions, which is set to decide on the pension system model and the funding thereof, was held on 4 November at France's labour...
4
Luxembourg: two pension reform bills submitted to parliament
After lengthy negotiations with the social partners, in mid-October the Luxembourg government submitted two bills to parliament aimed at reforming the pension system to ensure its long-term...
5
Candice Guillot (Talan): “Our recruiters save just over 80 hours per year on administrative tasks thanks to AI”
Candice Guillot, group director of employee experience and HR performance at Talan (7,000 employees), outlines for mind RH her vision and strategy for introducing artificial intelligence at the...