On 14 September, the European Parliament approved a
Directive introducing the principle of a minimum wage in the
European Union. What does it say, and will it herald a new era for
collective bargaining?
Summary
On 14 September 2022, the European Parliament voted to approve a
Directive on adequate minimum wages in the EU, with 505 votes in
favour, 92 against and 44 abstentions.
The Directive will not interfere with member states'
freedom to choose between setting minimum wages by law or promoting
protection through collective agreements. In addition, the EU
treaty (Article 153 TFEU) prevents direct EU intervention on wages
in the member states, and that means that the Directive does not
set a figure for the minimum wage.
