Economy
Hungary also complains about new German minimum wage rules
According to well-informed sources, the EU executive will pay heed to complaints by the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland and haulage companies and scrutinise a new German legislation over the controversial application of Germany’s minimum wage.
“The Commission takes note that Germany as the 22nd country in the EU has introduced a national minimum wage [...]. I can confirm that some aspects of the that law related to the transport sector have been brought to our attention by several member states and also by some representatives of the transport sector," Christian Wigand, Spokesperson at the EC for Rule of Law, Charter of Fundamental rights, told a daily press briefing in Brussels on Thurday.
“We’re now in the phase of looking into these concerns raised," he added.
Wigand also noted that both Commissioner Marianne Thyssen (Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility) and Commissioner Violeta Bulc (Commissioner for Transport) will travel to Berlin next week for an official visit and use this opportunity to discuss this topic.
Asked specifically if a pilot procedure has been initiated with Germany on the matter or not he reiterated the above statements adding that [...] we are in contact with Germany [...].
Margaritis Schinas, spokesman for Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, added that the two commissioners visiting Berlin next week “offers an idea of how seriously the Commission is examining the complaints we have received on something that is compatible but whose application on the transport sector has to be seen."
The German government has decided that the minimum wage of EUR 8.50 an hour will be applied to all truck drivers who are involved in transit trade through Germany. Foreign employers could be fined more than EUR 30,000 if they fail to pay this wage.
Foreign firms are irked by the new rules and by the prospect of having to register drivers' employment details with German authorities.
The EC has demanded an explanation from the German government as it believes that this might be a breach of EU law, giving it 30 days to reply. Poland’s El¿bieta Bieñkowska, Commissioner for Internal Markets, was one of the EC members behind the demand, Reuters reported.
Polish Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz held a telephone discussion with her German counterpart Angela Merkel over the issue, which according to a government spokeswoman was intended “to send a clear and explicit declaration that this issue is extremely important and significant for Ewa Kopacz and she is treating it as a priority."
A source told Reuters the first step would be for Brussels to inform Berlin that it was opening a "structured dialogue". If that failed to produce agreement, Germany could be pursued for breaching the EU treaty, leading to a possible court case.
However, Germany’s government has restated that it believes the application of the minimum wage law is permissible under EU laws. Christian Westhoff, a German Labour Ministry spokesman, assured that his Ministry is in contact with Poland and other countries involved in the issue.
"We are convinced that the law is compatible with current EU legislation. We are explaining and remain ready to explain our stance."
“The Commission takes note that Germany as the 22nd country in the EU has introduced a national minimum wage [...]. I can confirm that some aspects of the that law related to the transport sector have been brought to our attention by several member states and also by some representatives of the transport sector," Christian Wigand, Spokesperson at the EC for Rule of Law, Charter of Fundamental rights, told a daily press briefing in Brussels on Thurday.
“We’re now in the phase of looking into these concerns raised," he added.
Wigand also noted that both Commissioner Marianne Thyssen (Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility) and Commissioner Violeta Bulc (Commissioner for Transport) will travel to Berlin next week for an official visit and use this opportunity to discuss this topic.
Asked specifically if a pilot procedure has been initiated with Germany on the matter or not he reiterated the above statements adding that [...] we are in contact with Germany [...].
Margaritis Schinas, spokesman for Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, added that the two commissioners visiting Berlin next week “offers an idea of how seriously the Commission is examining the complaints we have received on something that is compatible but whose application on the transport sector has to be seen."
The German government has decided that the minimum wage of EUR 8.50 an hour will be applied to all truck drivers who are involved in transit trade through Germany. Foreign employers could be fined more than EUR 30,000 if they fail to pay this wage.
Foreign firms are irked by the new rules and by the prospect of having to register drivers' employment details with German authorities.
The EC has demanded an explanation from the German government as it believes that this might be a breach of EU law, giving it 30 days to reply. Poland’s El¿bieta Bieñkowska, Commissioner for Internal Markets, was one of the EC members behind the demand, Reuters reported.
Polish Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz held a telephone discussion with her German counterpart Angela Merkel over the issue, which according to a government spokeswoman was intended “to send a clear and explicit declaration that this issue is extremely important and significant for Ewa Kopacz and she is treating it as a priority."
A source told Reuters the first step would be for Brussels to inform Berlin that it was opening a "structured dialogue". If that failed to produce agreement, Germany could be pursued for breaching the EU treaty, leading to a possible court case.
However, Germany’s government has restated that it believes the application of the minimum wage law is permissible under EU laws. Christian Westhoff, a German Labour Ministry spokesman, assured that his Ministry is in contact with Poland and other countries involved in the issue.
"We are convinced that the law is compatible with current EU legislation. We are explaining and remain ready to explain our stance."
