German Politician Warns Against Politicizing Minimum Wage
Sachsen-Anhalt’s Minister-President Reiner Haseloff, a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has cautioned the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) against making the minimum wage a political issue.
According to Haseloff, who spoke to the Focus, he expects the SPD to stick to the agreement to act on the recommendation of the state-funded, parity-composed minimum wage commission. The CDU politician emphasized that the minimum wage has no place in politics, as wages are negotiated between social partners.
Haseloff warned that those who intervene in the matter are bringing a piece of the state’s economy into the mix, citing the example of the former East Germany, where the government dictated wages and pensions, ultimately leading to insolvency.
The minimum wage commission’s recommendation is expected to be announced on either Friday or Monday.