SPD threatens with a statutory minimum wage: 15 euros in danger?

SPD threatens with a statutory minimum wage: 15 euros in danger?

Deutschland - The debate about the minimum wage in Germany has again gained intensity. On April 23, 2025, the SPD plans to introduce a legal regulation if the responsible commission deviates from its established criteria. This announcement came from SPD general secretary Matthias Miersch, who also emphasized that the commission would expect a recommendation to raise the minimum wage to 15 euros next year.

miersch referred to the legislative possibilities that the SPD is available if the Commission does not give in to print. He recalled the earlier increase in the minimum wage to 12 euros in October 2022, which was implemented during the reign of the traffic light coalition. In view of the current economic situation, however, the Union is skeptical and expresses doubts about the accessibility of the 15-euro minimum wage until 2026.

position of the Commission and its criteria

In the coalition agreement between the Union and the SPD, it is stated that the Commission should work independently of political influence. It is based on tariff development and 60 percent of the gross wage of full -time employees. However, the Commission also has the opportunity to deviate from these criteria if "special economic circumstances" require this. The current economic crisis in Germany, which reveals concerns about the implementation of a higher minimum wage, could be regarded as one of these special circumstances.

The statutory minimum wage in context

The introduction of the statutory minimum wage on January 1, 2015 had far -reaching effects on the German labor market. Since then, employment relationships that are subject to the minimum wage have been regularly analyzed. This includes a differentiation according to gender, area affiliation, as well as between full and part-time employment and mini jobs. It is important to note that trainees, interns and employees under the age of 18 are excluded from this survey.

Another aspect of the current debate illuminates the Kaitz index, which shows the relationship between the statutory minimum wage and the average gross monthly earnings of full-time employees. A higher Kaitz index indicates a greater dismissal due to the minimum wage and could further heat future discussions about its increase. These numbers offer an interesting basis for political decision -makers when it comes to planning the next steps in the minimum wage debate.