German Trade Union Leader Warns of Potential Obstacles to Minimum Wage Increase
The head of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), Yasmin Fahimi, has cautioned the employer side and the chair of the Minimum Wage Commission against hindering a significant increase in the minimum wage for 2026. In an interview with the Rheinische Post, Fahimi stated that the DGB will push for a substantial rise in the minimum wage and if a consensus cannot be reached, the government must consider its options for intervention.
Fahimi addressed the chair of the Minimum Wage Commission, Christiane Schönefeld, expressing her hope that Schönefeld will not repeat the same mistake as in the previous round of negotiations, where she reportedly sided with the employers. The DGB leader emphasized the importance of the independent commission’s continued existence and announced that the median wage, with 60 percent of its value serving as a reference point, will be a crucial factor in the future.
The commission is set to determine the minimum wage for 2026 by the end of June, with the current rate standing at 12.82 euros per hour.