Minimum Wage Directive: statement by MEPs on European Court of Justice judgment

Employment and Social Affairs MEPs react to today’s European Court of Justice judgment on the Minimum Wage Directive.

The Directive on adequate minimum wages in the European Union, adopted in 2022, establishes a framework for making minimum wages more adequate and improving workers' access to minimum wage protection.

The Employment and Social Affairs Committee has set up a monitoring group on minimum wages, with Dennis Radtke (EPP, DE) and Marit Maij (NL, S&D) as co-chairs.

Li Andersson (The Left, FI), chair of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee, said: “We call on Member States to implement the directive swiftly. The Court of Justice has confirmed the main elements of the Directive on Minimum Wages. It is a victory for a Social Europe, for the Social Pillar and for EU workers. Member states should continue their efforts to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and to ensure that workers in the EU are fairly remunerated.”

Dennis Radtke (EPP, DE), rapporteur for the file and co-chair of the monitoring group, added: “Rightly set minimum wages decrease poverty and inequality. They have become a crucial part of our social market economy and are an increasingly important priority. They play a crucial role in allowing Europeans to earn a decent and fair living wherever they work. Contrary to what the name suggests, this Directive on adequate minimum wages does not provide for a centrally fixed uniform minimum wage for all EU countries. It is now time to implement the directive swiftly and follow up on our promises.”

Marit Maij (S&D, NL), co-chair of the monitoring group, said: “Europe stands for strong legislation that protects workers. This ruling confirms that Europe is not merely an economic union for businesses, but that it’s also committed to the well-being of its people. I’m pleased that the principles for which my predecessor, Agnes Jongerius, fought so tirelessly, remain firmly in place. Now is the moment for countries in Europe, including the Netherlands, to move quickly to implement the Minimum Wage Directive and to stop using this legal case as an excuse for postponement. In times when people's economic security is under threat, this must be a top priority.”

Background

The Minimum Wage Directive affirms the principle that the minimum wage should ensure a decent standard of living.

On 11 November 2025, the European Court of Justice confirmed the validity of a large part of the Directive on adequate minimum wages in the European Union, while annulling certain parts.