A report by the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) leader Yasmin Fahimi suggests that the minimum wage commission should orient itself towards 60 percent of the average wage, aiming to reach a minimum wage of 15 euros by 2026. Fahimi told the Rheinische Post that the commission should focus on finding solutions and not compromise on the principle of a minimum wage. She emphasized that the next government coalition must clearly state that the commission will consider the criterion of at least 60 percent of the median wage, adding that ignoring this could lead to further adjustments of the minimum wage law.
Fahimi also emphasized the importance of maintaining the current retirement rate of 48 percent, stating that any deviation from this would be a de facto reduction. She also proposed increasing the premium contributions in the pension, health and long-term care insurance and including self-employed individuals in the pension insurance up to a certain age limit. The DGB leader criticized the Union’s plans for a citizens’ allowance, calling them misleading and failing to address the real issues. According to Fahimi, the focus on citizens’ allowance recipients only fuels social conflict and does not address the root of the problem.