As of October 1, the minimum hourly wage in Germany has risen to twelve euros. This is an increase in the hourly wage of as much as 15 percent, German media write.

As German media claim, a prominent entrepreneur is asking for the minimum hourly wage to be raised to 20 euros. He justifies this demand with the high inflation rate.

Various unions in Germany also point out that the hourly wage of 12 euros is too low, and given the current conditions with expensive energy and high inflation, it should be even higher.

There are various proposals for raising the minimum hourly wage. Some believe that 13 euros is justified, while others believe that a minimum of 15 euros per hour is enough for a worker.

Experts familiar with this topic say that raising the minimum hourly wage could result in higher prices for final products. Entrepreneurs, with rising energy costs, do not have much room to raise wages, so passing the increase on to customers is an inevitable move.

From October, millions of workers will benefit from the 12-euro hourly wage. Many people, from students to low-income individuals, will benefit from it.

The minimum hourly wage has been applied throughout Germany since 2015. At that time, it amounted to 8.50 euros gross per hour. In the following years, it was gradually increased, and most recently to 10.45 euros. From October 1, the long-awaited dream of the Social Democrats is being realized: for every hour worked, the employer must pay at least 12 euros.

Many employees are satisfied with the wage increase. But for some, the 12 euros decided by the Bundestag in June is still too low. Others, meanwhile, are worried about the future of their business because the increase in the minimum wage will raise their costs.

“The increase in the minimum hourly wage is very good, although it is still too little. Large companies did not move abroad for nothing,” is the opinion of a resident of Germany. Another believes that it would be realistic for the minimum hourly wage to be 16 euros, because anything below that is only enough for survival.

Source: fenix-magazin.de