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Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) has defended the minimum wage increase against criticism. "We decided on the 12 euros before the crisis," Heil told the newspapers of the Funke media group (Saturday). "But they are helping right now in the crisis." For many employees, this is the biggest wage jump in their lives. Those who work full-time for the minimum wage have almost 300 euros more gross per month as a result of the increase.
According to Heil, the new minimum wage will not lead to major job losses either: "I would say that the higher minimum wage has no negative effect on the labor market from a macroeconomic point of view." The labor market development is neutral and the economic effect is positive. The fact that people who earn little can now afford more is also “a question of respect and fairness,” said Heil.
At the same time, the SPD politician said that no further political intervention in the development of the minimum wage was planned. "For further increases, the Minimum Wage Commission will take on its important task again."
From this Saturday, the statutory minimum wage will rise to twelve euros per hour. The traffic light coalition is implementing an election promise with the one-time increase decided by the Bundestag. Most recently, the lower wage limit was 10.45 euros per hour.
According to Heil, more than six million people are getting more money, especially women and East German workers. At the same time, the earnings limit for mini-jobs will be raised from 450 to 520 euros. Employers criticized the government's intervention in wage structures.
The economic researcher Clemens Fuest warned of a further increase in inflation due to the increase in the statutory minimum wage to twelve euros. "Insofar as the minimum wage increases the income of vulnerable groups in the lowest income bracket, it is helpful," said the President of the Ifo Institute for Economic Research of the Düsseldorf "Rheinische Post" (Saturday). However, it is a particular burden for small companies, which are already suffering from rising energy prices. "They will pass on the higher wages through higher prices as far as possible, which will increase inflation."
The nominal minimum wage will rise by around 15 percent, said Fuest. Due to the current inflation trend, the real wage increase due to the minimum wage increase is reduced to five percent. The purchasing power effect is correspondingly limited.
The Ifo boss also criticized the federal government's procedure for the planned EUR 200 billion gas price cap. Money can also do a lot of damage, he said. The greatest danger is that the aid will increase the demand for energy: "If more money is released on a limited amount of gas, it will only drive up gas consumption and prices," explained Fuest. He called on the federal government to provide more energy saving incentives and to focus more on flat-rate aid on low-income earners and companies that are badly affected.
