Today, the European Parliament plenary voted to confirm the mandate given to S&D MEP Agnes Jongerius, and her co-rapporteur, to start negotiating with the Council of the EU on the Directive on Adequate minimum wages in the European Union.
Last year, progressive European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, proposed the Directive following years of campaigning by the PES political family to level-up wages for all.
In line with S&D demands, the European Parliament endorsed an ambitious report focused on improving statutory minimum wages and putting clear safeguards for collective bargaining systems.
PES President Sergei Stanishev said:
“The PES is focused on securing fair wages for everyone, either through strong minimum wages or by strong collective bargaining. I am proud that this approach was endorsed by the European Parliament today. This is a key battle on the way to a major victory for workers across our Union.
“We call on the Council to match the Parliament’s ambition for a strong Directive, and to move quickly so it can come into force without delay.
“A fair recovery is one which pushes wages up – work must pay! Our governments in Spain, Portugal, and Germany have all raised their minimum wages. In Sweden and Denmark our governments support strong collective bargaining which deliver high wages, a model that should have the necessary guarantees to be preserved. It is more important than ever to guarantee a decent living for all workers across Europe.”
Earlier this month, the PES was proud to support a PvdA Conference on European Minimum Wages organised by Agnes Jongerius.
