MEPs launch implementation monitoring of the EU’s minimum wage directive

On Tuesday, MEPs from the Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) Committee launched a monitoring group on the directive on adequate minimum wages in the EU.

The Parliament’s monitoring group on the “Minimum Wage Directive” held its constitutive meeting on Tuesday, 18 November. The group is tasked with scrutinising the implementation and enforcement of the directive by organising debates with the Commission, national authorities, social partners and other stakeholders. It will also follow-up on the outcome of the European Court of Justice judgment (C-19/23) and could be invited to report back on its work to the full committee.

In view of the significance of the directive, which affects millions of workers across the EU, and given its focus on working conditions and adequate wages, the EMPL Committee decided to monitor the implementation of the directive at the national level by creating this monitoring group.

Dennis Radtke (EPP, DE) and Marit Maij (S&D, NL) will co-chair the monitoring group. Its other four members, as determined by the political groups, are:

Pál Szekeres (PfE, HU)

Jana Toom (Renew, EE)

Benedetta Scuderi (Greens/EFA, IT)

Özlem Demirel (The Left, DE)

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Co-chair Dennis Radtke (EPP, DE), also previously Parliament’s rapporteur for the directive, said: “Correctly-set minimum wages should be a crucial part of our social market economy. They play a vital role in enabling Europeans to earn a decent living wherever they work. The Minimum Wage Directive establishes procedural rules and a framework to ensure statutory minimum wages are adequate, regularly reviewed, and fairly applied. Parliament is ready to closely follow the implementation of the Directive, as it is now time to implement it and fulfil our promises.”

Co-chair Marit Maij (S&D, NL) said: “The European Court of Justice affirmed that Europe stands for strong legislation that protects workers. Legislation that ensures every worker in Europe has the right to a fair wage, one that is truly sufficient to live on. This is vital, as social legislation forms the foundation of solidarity. Now is the moment for countries in Europe, including the Netherlands, to act swiftly and implement the Minimum Wage Directive without further delay. In times when people's economic security is under threat, this must be a top priority."

Background

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.