The Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament has approved a report by MEP Agnes Jongerius (PvdA) on a European minimum wage and mandatory collective labor negotiations.
After 45 rounds of negotiations with other political groups, Jongerius succeeded in securing a broad majority behind her plans. This clears the way for full Parliament approval later this month and the start of negotiations with the European Commission.
“I am incredibly happy for all those people working at or just above minimum wage. With this legislation, we will raise minimum wages in the Netherlands and across Europe,” says Jongerius.
“It is high time that supermarket shelf stockers, maternity care workers, forklift drivers in logistics, and all those other employees who proved indispensable during the coronavirus crisis finally earn a fair wage,” Jongerius believes.
In addition, the MEPs also want to improve social protection for flexible workers. For example, so-called bogus self-employed workers, such as platform workers, will also be entitled to the minimum wage. Furthermore, trade unions must be enabled to organize workers without a physical workplace.
According to GroenLinks MEP Kim van Sparrentak, a fairer Europe is getting closer: “About 10 percent of workers in Europe live in poverty, and it is especially women who earn minimum wage.”
The Social Affairs Committee wants the minimum wage per country to be based on a basic package of goods and services. Van Sparrentak: “It really shouldn’t even be a matter of debate, but the minimum wage must cover subsistence. This is a clear signal to raise the minimum wage in the Netherlands to 14 euros per hour as well.”