Zitatform

Lübker, Malte & Thorsten Schulten (2024): WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2024: Reale Zugewinne durch die Umsetzung der Europäischen Mindestlohnrichtlinie. (WSI-Report 93), Düsseldorf, 21 S.

Abstract

"In den meisten EU-Staaten kam es zum 1. Januar 2024 zu deutlichen Erhöhungen der Mindestlöhne. Diese reichten trotz anhaltend hoher Inflationsraten in der Mehrzahl der Mitgliedsländer aus, um die Kaufkraft des Mindestlohns zu erhalten oder sogar auszubauen. Begünstigt wurde die Mindestlohndynamik auch durch die im Herbst 2022 verabschiedete Europäische Mindestlohnrichtlinie. Viele Mitgliedsländer streben im Zuge der Umsetzung der EU-Richtlinie an, die dort verankerten Referenzwerte von 60 % des Medianlohns bzw. 50 % des Durchschnittslohns zu erreichen. Anders verlief die Entwicklung in Deutschland: Hier plädierte die Mindestlohnkommission gegen die Stimmen der Gewerkschaften nur für eine geringe Anhebung des Mindestlohns, die hinter die Preisentwicklung zurückfällt." (Textauszug, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Cova, Joshua (2023): Politicizing the minimum wage: A multilingual text analysis of minimum wages in European electoral manifestos. In: Journal of European Social Policy, Jg. 33, H. 4, S. 469-483. DOI:10.1177/09589287231199561

Abstract

"This article examines the determinants of the growing political salience of minimum wages in European party manifestos. By using multilingual quantitative text analysis, I show that the electoral salience of minimum wages has increased in the past decades. Although left-wing parties emphasize minimum wages more than right-wing parties, I find that the electoral salience of this policy follows a U-shaped relationship: right-wing populist parties dedicate greater attention to minimum wages than centre-right parties do. A sentiment analysis finds that compared to other policies designed to supplement the income of low-wage workers, such as strengthening collective bargaining institutions and in-work benefits/wage subsidies, there do not seem to be specific party-political characteristics, which determine the sentiment with which discussions on minimum wages are framed." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Dickens, Richard (2023): How are minimum wages set? (IZA world of labor 211), Bonn, 11 S. DOI:10.15185/izawol.211.v2

Abstract

"The minimum wage has never been as high on the political agenda as it is today, with politicians in Germany, the UK, the US, and other OECD countries implementing substantial increases in the rate. One reason for the rising interest is the growing consensus among economists and policymakers that minimum wages, set at the right level, may help low paid workers without harming employment prospects. But how should countries set their minimum wage rate? The processes that countries use to set their minimum wage rate and structure differ greatly, as do the methods for adjusting it. The different approaches have merits and shortcomings." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Filauro, Stefano, Klaus Grünberger & Edlira Narazani (2023): The Impact of Minimum Wages on Income Inequality in the EU. (JRC working papers on taxation and structural reforms 2023,04), Seville, 33 S.

Abstract

"A number of studies documents that minimum wage policies have the potential to reduce income inequality. The recently adopted EU Commission's proposal for a Directive on adequate minimum wages was supported by a detailed analysis of the social impacts of hypothetical minimum wage levels in countries with a statutory minimum wage. This paper extends these country-level analyses by exploring the impact of minimum wage policies on EU-level income inequality. To our knowledge, this is the first study that uses a microsimulation model such as EUROMOD to assess the impact of EU-promoted policies on the distribution of income in the EU, beyond their national effects. Assuming no employment effects, static simulation results show that a hypothetical minimum wage corresponding to 60% of the national median wage would bring about a small but significant reduction in EU-level disposable income inequality (by 0.75% in 2019 as measured through the Gini index). This result stems primarily from a reduction in the within-country component of income inequality as the effect on inequality between countries is rather muted. The reduction in EU-level income inequality is the highest in disposable incomes, but some reduction is detectable also in market incomes. In turn, the withdrawal of social benefits because of higher minimum wages seems to neutralise part of this inequality reduction." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Haapanala, Henri, Ive Marx & Zachary Parolin (2023): Decent wage floors in Europe: Does the minimum wage directive get it right? In: Journal of European Social Policy, Jg. 33, H. 4, S. 421-435. DOI:10.1177/09589287231176977

Abstract

"The Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages represents a watershed initiative adding substance to the EU’s social dimension. It contains two ambitious objectives: establishing the minimum level of statutory minimum wages at 60% of the gross median wage, and increasing collective bargaining coverage (CBC) to at least 80% of workers. In this article, we assess how statutory minimum wages and collective bargaining coverage are associated with the likelihood of low pay. Using a time series cross-section of EU-SILC for income years 2004–2019, we identify and assess the absolute and relative size of ‘effective wage floors’ for full-time employees in 30 countries. We specify multilevel, random effects within-between regression models to assess the individual and joint associations of SMW and collective bargaining coverage with wage floors. Our results indicate that SMWs and CBC both have distinct roles in establishing the effective wage floor. First, higher collective bargaining coverage is on average associated with a lower share of workers earning below 60% gross median wages. Second, higher SMWs are strongly associated with higher effective wage floors. Third, both collective bargaining coverage and union density are strongly associated with higher wage floors." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Hamilton, Reg & Matt Nichol (2023): One Hundred Years of Dynamic Minimum Wage Regulation: Lessons from Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. In: International Labour Review, Jg. 162, H. 3, S. 407-429. DOI:10.1111/ilr.12380

Abstract

"Since the first minimum wage legislation was introduced in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States in the early 1900s, minimum wage regulation has attracted controversy. Opponents of minimum wage levels rely on market theory, while supporters acknowledge the role of markets in setting the price of labour but justify state intervention based on principles of equity and social good. This article examines how these two ideological positions influenced fixing what is both a crucial cost for business and underpinning of worker and family living standards, and whether effective wage fixing has resulted. Little comparative research exists on the origins, evolution and current systems of minimum wage regulation in the three countries and this article aims to address this gap in the literature." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

Zitatform

Juliana, Maria, Charry Camargo, Alessandra Crippa, Serena Drufuca, Flavia Pesce, Manuela Samek Lodovici, Elena Cottini, Bernardo Fanfani & Claudio Lucifora (2023): Minimum wages: Non-compliance and enforcement across EU Member State. Comparative report. (Eurofound research report / European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions), Dublin, 119 S. DOI:10.2806/474422

Abstract

"In the EU, non-compliance with statutory or negotiated minimum wages averages 6.93% or 1.3%, depending on the statistics used. The lowest national estimate is 0.01% in Belgium and the highest is 11.59% in Hungary. It mostly affects young workers, those on fixed-term or part-time contracts and those working for small companies. It is more common in services than in manufacturing, and is characterized by shorter working time. Member States monitor, enforce and promote compliance in similar ways, although with some differences. This report identifies hindering and enabling factors. Some countries focus on specific economic sectors, such as construction, domestic work, platform work, agriculture and meat processing. National authorities often enforce minimum wages indirectly by helping employers comply, raising workers’ awareness, and helping stakeholders increase cooperation and develop faster procedures. Combining these soft initiatives with tougher measures increases the effectiveness of inspectorates’ actions in enforcing compliance with minimum wages." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Lübker, Malte & Thorsten Schulten (2023): WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2023. Kaufkraftsicherung als zentrale Aufgabe in Zeiten hoher Inflation. (WSI-Report 82), Düsseldorf, 19 S.

Abstract

"Die rasant gestiegenen Verbraucherpreise belasten Beschäftigte mit niedrigen Einkommen in besonderem Maße. Deswegen ist es derzeit eine vordringliche Aufgabe der Lohnpolitik, die Kaufkraft der Mindestlöhne zu sichern. Wie der diesjährige WSI-Mindestlohnbericht zeigt, ist dies trotz einer deutlichen Anhebung der nominalen Mindestlöhne zum 1. Januar 2023 nur in rund der Hälfte der EU-Länder gelungen. Vor diesem Hintergrund verfolgt die neue Europäische Mindestlohnrichtlinie das Ziel, allen Beschäftigten einen angemessenen Mindestlohn zu garantieren. Das Kriterium der Angemessenheit beinhaltet, dass die EU-Mitgliedsländer künftig bei der Anpassung der Mindestlöhne deren jeweilige Kaufkraft, also die zugrunde liegenden Lebenshaltungskosten, mitberücksichtigen müssen. Dies stellt auch in Deutschland die hierzulande zuständige Mindestlohnkommission vor neuen Handlungsbedarf." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Lübker, Malte & Thorsten Schulten (2023): WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2023. Kaufkraftsicherung als zentrale Aufgabe in Zeiten hoher Inflation. In: WSI-Mitteilungen, Jg. 76, H. 2, S. 112-122. DOI:10.5771/0342-300X-2023-2-112

Abstract

"Der WSI-Mindestlohnbericht enthält neue Daten über Mindestlöhne aus insgesamt 38 Ländern in Europa und darüber hinaus. Die aktuelle Entwicklung der Mindestlöhne steht ganz im Zeichen der enorm hohen Inflationsraten. Während in der Hälfte der 22 EU-Staaten, die gesetzliche Mindestlöhne haben, die realen Mindestlöhne gesichert oder sogar erhöht werden konnten, reichten die Mindestlohnerhöhungen in den restlichen EU-Staaten nicht aus, um teilweise erhebliche Reallohnverluste zu vermeiden. Vor diesem Hintergrund sieht die im Oktober 2022 verabschiedete Europäische Mindestlohnrichtlinie die Kaufkraft als ein wesentliches Kriterium an, das bei der Festsetzung eines als angemessen geltenden Mindestlohns zu berücksichtigen ist. In einigen europäischen Ländern wie z. B. Belgien oder Frankreich ist die Reallohnsicherung der Mindestlöhne schon heute gesetzlich verankert und wird durch entsprechende Indexierungsklauseln gewährleistet. In Deutschland hat die Erhöhung des Mindestlohns auf 12 € den Beschäftigten zunächst einmal ein kräftiges Reallohnplus beschert. Für zukünftige Anpassungen steht jedoch auch hier die Reallohnsicherung auf der Tagesordnung." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Muñoz, Mathilde (2023): International Trade Responses to Labor Market Regulations. (NBER working paper / National Bureau of Economic Research 31876), Cambridge, Mass, 61 S.

Abstract

"This paper studies how differences in labor market regulations shape countries' comparative advantage in the cross-border provision of labor-intensive services, using administrative data in Europe for the last two decades. I exploit exogenous variation in labor taxes and minimum wages faced by exporting firms engaged in a large European trade program. Firms from different countries compete to supply the same physical service in the same location but their employees are subject to different payroll taxes and minimum wages. These rules varied across countries, sectors, and over time. Reduced-form country case-studies as well as model-implied gravity estimates show evidence of large trade responses to lower labor taxes and minimum wages, with an elasticity that is around one. The Bolkestein directive, by exempting foreign firms from all labor regulations in the destination country, would have doubled exports of physical services from Eastern European countries, rationalizing the wave of protests in high-wage countries that led to the withdrawal of the proposal." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Pedersen, Siri Hansen & Georg Picot (2023): Regulating low wages: cross-national policy variation and outcomes. In: Socio-economic review, Jg. 21, H. 4, S. 2093-2116. DOI:10.1093/ser/mwad019

Abstract

"This article provides a comparative analysis of three central policies to regulate low wages: statutory minimum wages, state support for collective bargaining and topping up low wages with public transfers (in-work benefits). We map the variation of these policies across 33 OECD countries and analyze the incidence of low-wage employment they are associated with. We find three approaches to regulating low wages. In the first, 'wage scale protection', states put most emphasis on supporting collective bargaining. In the second, 'bare minimum', there is not much else than the statutory minimum wage. In the third, 'state pay', the statutory minimum wage is supplemented by sizeable public financial support for low earners. When analyzing policy outcomes, 'wage scale protection' is associated with least low-wage employment. For 'bare minimum', much depends on the level of the statutory minimum wage. Although 'state pay' props up workers' disposable income, many workers receive low gross pay." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Europäische Kommission. Generaldirektion Beschäftigung, Soziales und Integration (2023): Labor Market and Wage Developments in Europe 2023. (Labour market and wage developments in Europe : annual review), Luxembourg, 138 S.

Abstract

"The Labor Market and Wage Developments in Europe report analyses the labor market from a macroeconomic perspective. This year’s edition discusses the situation and prospects for the EU labor market, which has continued to perform well notwithstanding the economic slowdown and an economic context characterised by persistent uncertainty. The report also reviews recent wage and labor cost developments in the EU and its Member States in the current high-inflation environment. While wage growth has been robust, it has not been sufficient to compensate for the high inflation. At the same time, statutory minimum wage policies have contributed to protecting the purchasing power of minimum-wage earners. Finally, the report examines the developments in working time across the EU, assessing how individual preferences have evolved following the COVID-19 pandemic and discussing the effects of working time policies on workers’ wellbeing and on the broader economic context." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Abstract

"This study explores the importance of financial incentives for the labor market integration of minimum income recipients compared to other factors, via three distinct strands of analysis: Benefit adequacy and work incentives: The study examines the potential trade-off in the design of minimum income schemes between ensuring adequate income support and providing sufficient incentive for recipients to look for employment. To do so, it calculates for each EU Member State the “participation tax rate” (PTR), which measures the net income lost by someone moving from receiving minimum income benefits into work relative to the income gained. It then assesses the actual importance of high PTRs on work incentives by analysing the empirical evidence available. Gradual phasing out of benefits: The study examines how minimum income schemes make use of tapering to ensure a financial incentive for recipients to take up (more) work. To do so, it takes inventory of the tapering arrangements currently applicable in Member States and examines how these are implemented. It also identifies recent reforms to tapering mechanisms, case studies on six recent reforms, and uses these to reflect on their impact. Active labor market policies for minimum income recipients: The study examines the use of active labour market policies and what types of policy may be most effective in enabling transition for minimum income benefit recipients. To do so, it performs a quantitative analysis of the data from the EU Labor Market Policy database and a qualitative analysis of evaluations of programs co-funded by the European Social Fund. In both cases long-term unemployed were used as a proxy for minimum income benefit recipients." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Adam, Georg (2022): Die Entwicklung der gesetzlichen Mindestlohnsetzung in der EU und ihre Bedeutung für die Gewerkschaften. In: Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft, Jg. 48, H. 3, S. 365-406.

Abstract

"In der Europäischen Union bestehen auf nationaler Ebene sehr unterschiedliche Mindestlohnregime. Dieser Beitrag fokussiert auf den internationalen Vergleich von Mindestlohnregimen, wobei besonderes Augenmerk auf die Modi der gesetzlichen Festlegung von Mindestlöhnen gelegt wird. Darüber hinaus analysiert der Beitrag – ausgehend vom Konzept der Governance – den wechselseitigen Zusammenhang zwischen der gesetzlichen Mindestlohnsetzung und der Kollektivvertragspolitik. Drittens beleuchtet der Beitrag auf Grundlage des sogenannten Machtressourcenansatzes den Zusammenhang zwischen der Mindestlohnpolitik und den unterschiedlichen Dimensionen gewerkschaftlicher Macht. Insbesondere wird untersucht, unter welchen Bedingungen der gesetzliche Mindestlohn als institutionelle Machtressource der Gewerkschaften fungieren kann." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Afonso, António, João Tovar Jalles & Zoe Venter (2022): Minimum Wage and Collective Bargaining Reforms: A Narrative Database for Advance Economies. (CESifo working paper 9692), München, 21 S.

Abstract

"This paper presents and describes a new database of major minimum wage and collective bargaining reforms covering 26 advanced economies over the period 1970-2020. The main advantage of this dataset is the precise identification of the nature and date of major reforms, which is valuable in many empirical applications. Based on the dataset, major changes in minimum wages have been more frequent than in collective bargaining in the last decades, and the majority of these were implemented during the 1980s and 1990s. In our empirical application, we find that minimum wage reforms have a medium-run positive impact on labor productivity and they lead to a fall in the unemployment rate. Collective bargaining reforms do not seem to affect either productivity or capital formation but they have a clear medium-term effect on the labor market. Moreover, collective bargaining reforms are more sensitivity to the prevailing business cycle conditions at the time of the reform (vis-à-vis minimum wage reforms)." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Grünberger, Klaus, Edlira Narazani, Stefano Filauro & Áron Kiss (2022): Social and fiscal impacts of statutory minimum wages in EU countries. A microsimulation analysis with EUROMOD. In: IZA Journal of Labor Policy, Jg. 12, H. 1. DOI:10.2478/izajolp-2022-0009

Abstract

"This paper analyzes the effects of hypothetical MW (HMW) increases on social and fiscal outcomes in 21 European Union (EU) countries with a statutory national MW (NMW) based on a microsimulation approach using EUROMOD. The methodological challenges related to the use of available EU household survey data are described, along with the choices made to address these challenges. The paper assesses hypothetical scenarios in which countries with a statutory NMW increase their minimum wage (MW) to various reference values, set in relation to the gross national median and average wage. The model simulations suggest that MW increases can significantly reduce in-work poverty, wage inequality, and the gender pay gap, while generally improving the public budget balance. The implied wage increases for the beneficiaries are substantial, while the implied increases in the aggregate wage bill are generally modest. Extensions explore possible effects on employment and labor supply at the intensive margin." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Haapanala, Henri, Ive Marx & Zachary Parolin (2022): Decent Wage Floors in Europe: Does the Minimum Wage Directive Get It Right? (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 15660), Bonn, 45 S.

Abstract

"The Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages represents a watershed initiative adding substance to the EU's social dimension. It contains two ambitious objectives: establishing the minimum level of statutory minimum wages (SMWs) at 60% of the gross median wage, and increasing collective bargaining coverage (CBC) to at least 80% of workers. In this paper, we assess how minimum wages and collective bargaining affect low pay. Using a time series cross-section of EU-SILC for income years 2004-2019, we identify and assess the absolute and relative size of 'effective wage floors' for full-time employees in 30 countries. We specify multilevel, random effects within-between (REWB) regression models to assess the individual and joint effects of SMW and CBC on wage floors. Our results indicate that SMW and CBC both have distinct roles to play in establishing the effective wage floor. First, countries with a statutory minimum wage have a lower share of workers earning below 60% gross median wage than countries without one. Furthermore, higher rates of CBC are essential for pushing down the share of workers on below-decent pay. Countries without a SMW but with CBC above the 80% target value have roughly the same proportion of below-decent pay as SMW countries with CBC less than 30-40%. However, at higher rates of CBC, SMW countries are predicted to overtake non-SMW countries on this measure. A hypothetical SMW country meeting the target value of 80% CBC is predicted to have less than 6.5% of full-time employees earning below-decent pay." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Lübker, Malte & Thorsten Schulten (2022): WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2022. Aufbruch zu einer neuen Mindestlohnpolitik in Deutschland und Europa. (WSI-Report 71), Düsseldorf, 20 S.

Abstract

"Nicht nur in Deutschland steht der Mindestlohn derzeit weit oben auf der politischen Agenda – zahlreiche europäische Länder sind auf dem Weg zu strukturell höheren Mindestlöhnen. Als Richtwert für ein angemessenes Mindestlohnniveau gilt dabei die Schwelle von 60% des Medianlohns, die auch im Kontext der Europäischen Mindestlohninitiative diskutiert wird. Der diesjährige WSI-Mindestlohnbericht zeigt, dass Mindestlöhne in dieser Höhe umsetzbar sind, wenn hierfür eine klare politische Richtungsentscheidung getroffen wird. Deutschland würde sich mit der geplanten Anhebung des Mindestlohns auf 12 € diesem Richtwert annähern und damit innerhalb Europas vom bisherigen Nachzügler bei Mindestlohnerhöhungen zum Vorreiter in der Mindestlohnpolitik werden." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Manning, Alan (2022): Der flüchtige Beschäftigungseffekt des Mindestlohns. In: A. Heise & T. Pusch (Hrsg.) (2022): Mindestlöhne – Szenen einer Wissenschaft, S. 137-174.

Abstract

"Mit der Vielzahl von Papieren, die versuchen, den Effekt von Mindestlöhnen auf die Beschäftigung zu schätzen, steigt die Gefahr, den Blick auf die Frage nach dem 'Warum' zu verlieren. Insbesondere auf die Frage, warum es so schwer ist, negative Beschäftigungseffekte von Mindestlöhnen auszumachen. Vielleicht gibt es gewisse ökonomische Faktoren, die den kleinen und oftmals ambivalenten Effekt des Mindestlohns auf die Beschäftigung erklären? Oder vielleicht sind Arbeitsmärkte fundamental von anderen Märkten verschieden? Diese Anliegen sollen in diesem Beitrag diskutiert werden. Die Schlussfolgerung ist, dass der Beschäftigungseffekt des Mindestlohns schwer fassbar ist, aber auch, dass die Ökonomen hiervon nicht überrascht sein sollten, wenn man bedenkt, wie Arbeitsmärkte funktionieren, in denen Abweichungen vom vollständigen Wettbewerb viel größer sind als in vielen anderen Märkten. Tatsächlich mag es an der Zeit sein, dass die Forschung einen Schritt vorwärts macht und sich die Frage stellt, wie weit der Mindestlohn erhöht werden kann, ohne signifikante Beschäftigungseffekte auszulösen." (Textauszug, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Natali, David & Andrea Terlizzi (2022): Minimum income across all ages: a focus on elderly people. (European Trade Union Institute. Working paper 2022,17), Brussels, 40 S.

Abstract

"The risk of poverty is a key issue for European countries. Irrespective of the uneven evolution of that risk – a sharp increase in the aftermath of the Great Recession of 2008 followed by an overall decrease in the past few years – people at risk of poverty represent a key target of social protection and social assistance schemes across the EU Member States and a persistent challenge for policymakers. In response to the call for tender proposed by the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), this paper explores some of the many dimensions of old-age poverty and considers the possibility of addressing at least some of these dimensions by means of a guaranteed minimum income for retired persons, including one that could be introduced or coordinated at European level. The paper is organised in three parts. Chapter 1 collects information on poverty risks across Europe and age groups (e.g. between working-age and elderly populations) to assess how people of both working and retirement age are affected by poverty. Some preliminary data shed light on the impact of the pandemic. Chapter 2 assesses minimum pension schemes across Europe (comparing these schemes for the elderly with minimum income schemes for those of working age), with some insights about their efficacy. We also identify the standards that should be kept in account for designing adequate minimum income policies after retirement. Chapter 3 summarises the recent debate at the EU level and suggests policy strategies to provide effective minimum income protection for elderly people to lead a life in dignity. The paper ends with some preliminary conclusions and remarks." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Welz, Christian & Maria Cantero (2022): Regulating minimum wages and other forms of pay for the self-employed. (Eurofound research report / European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions), Dublin, 67 S. DOI:10.2806/426747

Abstract

"This report is carried out in the context of the three-year pilot project (2021–2023), ‘Role of the minimum wage in establishing the Universal Labour Guarantee’, mandated to Eurofound by the European Commission. Its focus is module 3 of the project, investigating minimum wages and other forms of pay for the self-employed. Out of concern for the challenging conditions faced by certain groups of self-employed workers, some Member States have established or are in discussions about proposing some statutory forms of minimum pay for selected categories of the self-employed. The main objective of the report is to understand how minimum wages, wage rates, tariffs, fees and other forms of pay could be fixed for specific jobs or professions in sectors having a high level of ‘vulnerable’ workers, as well as ‘concealed’ self-employed. While the majority of Member States allow trade union representation, the right to collective bargaining for the selfemployed is much more limited. Only a small number of Member States provide examples of collectively agreed minimum wages or other forms of pay for the self-employed." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Abstract

"The first joint report of the Social Protection Committee and the European Commission on minimum income arrives at a crucial moment for social Europe. Considering the current volatile socio-economic situation combined with various megatrends at play, solid safety nets are indispensable for the cohesion of our societies and for assisting those in need. It is evident that achieving the new European target of a reduction by at least 15 million of the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the EU by 2030 will require more efforts. The income of quasi-jobless households has been lagging behind the general income improvements, pointing to the key importance of strengthening social protection systems, and in particular also minimum income schemes, to cope with economic shocks and support vulnerable groups. As the report shows, large divergences between and within the Member States remain. Principle 14 of the European Pillar of Social Rights stresses the right to adequate minimum income to ensure a life in dignity at all stages of life, alongside effective access to enabling goods and services and, for those who can work, a (re)integration to the labour market. In 2020, the Council of the European Union reflected upon the importance of strengthening minimum income protection and acknowledged that such protection, accompanied by activation and social inclusion services, plays a vital role in mitigating the risk of poverty and social exclusion. The Council also invited the European Commission and the Social Protection Committee to ‘prepare periodically a joint report to analyse and review progress achieved in the development of minimum income protection in the Member States, building on the benchmarking framework for minimum income protection established at EU level.’ This current report responds directly to this call. It provides an overview of the current state of play of minimum income policies in the EU Member States, reflecting the three policy strands of active inclusion: adequate income support, inclusive labour markets and access to quality services. It reviews levels and trends in outcomes and performances of national systems, based on the selected indicators of the agreed benchmarking framework on minimum income. The analysis highlights that on average in the EU, adequacy of minimum income benefits has remained almost unchanged in the last decade in spite of some convergence reflecting the fact that new schemes have been introduced in some Member States and reforms have been carried out in others. Countries with higher coverage generally also show lower depth of poverty. Still, estimates available show that non-take-up of minimum income is high, at around 30 % to 50 % of the eligible population. In terms of facilitating labour market participation, the participation of minimum income beneficiaries in active labour market policy measures appears to be low and often limited to certain types of activities. Coordination with bodies offering other complementary benefits and services also appears to be a challenge in many instances." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Arranz, José M., Enrique Fernández-Macías & Carlos García-Serrano (2021): Wage differentials and segmentation: The impact of institutions and changing economic conditions. In: European journal of industrial relations, Jg. 27, H. 2, S. 203-227. DOI:10.1177/0959680120959008

Abstract

"This paper uses data from the European Survey on Income and Living Conditions to offer new empirical evidence on how wage differentials are influenced by the changing economic conditions, that is, before and after the 2008?2010 recession, and shaped by the different institutional frameworks of European Union countries. We examine whether wage changes are homogeneous across groups of workers, as they are classified by their contractual relationship and working time, and by the heterogeneity in institutions that regulate and affect the labour market. Results obtained by estimating ordinary least squares and quantile regressions confirm the existence of contract and working time wage gaps and allow to estimate their different magnitudes along the wage distribution, and their rise during the recession. The impact of labour market institutions on shaping them is diverse, with more intervention of the government in the setting of the minimum wage and stricter regulation for atypical contracts reducing the wage gaps and producing larger positive effects for low-wage employees." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Baumann, Arne (2021): What accounts for differences in minimum wage growth between EU member states? (baua: Preprint / Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin), Dortmund, 23 S. DOI:10.21934/baua:preprint20210506

Abstract

"Der Beitrag vergleicht auf Basis eines innovativen Datensatzes das Mindestlohnwachstum in 18 EU-Mitgliedsstaaten (ohne Deutschland) in den Jahren 2000-2017 und analysiert die Faktoren, die auf das Mindestlohnwachstum Einfluss nehmen. Dabei wird überprüft, ob Unterschiede beim Mindestlohnwachstum mit institutionellen Unterschieden zwischen den Ländern zusammenhängen oder eher von Unterschieden im Pro-Kopf-Einkommen der Länder herrühren. Zu den institutionellen Unterschieden gehören die für die Anpassung des Mindestlohns verantwortlichen Akteure (z. B. Regierung, Sozialpartner, Experten), aber auch länderspezifische Wirtschaftsstrukturen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass sich die Mindestlohnanpassungen in West- und Osteuropa nicht nur im Umfang sondern auch hinsichtlich der institutionellen Einflüsse deutlich unterscheiden. Die Wachstumsraten in Osteuropa sind merklich höher als in Westeuropa. Ursächlich hierfür ist jedoch nicht der osteuropäische Aufholprozess beim Pro-Kopf-Einkommen, sondern sehr viel aktiveres Regierungshandeln im Vergleich zu Westeuropa. In Westeuropa zeigt sich dagegen ein Zusammenhang zwischen dem Mindestlohnwachstum und der Struktur der Wirtschaft. Je mehr das Wirtschaftswachstum von Exporten abhängt, desto schwächer fällt das Wachstum des Mindestlohns aus. Umgekehrt gilt, dass ein größerer Einfluss des Binnenkonsums auf das Wirtschaftswachstum mit einem höheren Wachstum des Mindestlohns einhergeht." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Grünberger, Klaus, Edlira Narazani, Stefano Filauro & Áron Kiss (2021): Social and fiscal impacts of statutory minimum wages in EU countries. A microsimulation analysis with EUROMOD. (JRC working papers on taxation and structural reforms 2021-06), Seville, 44 S.

Abstract

"This paper analyses the first-round effects of hypothetical minimum wage increases on social outcomes in 21 EU countries with a statutory national minimum wage based on a microsimulation approach using EUROMOD. The methodological challenges related to the use of available EU household survey data are described, along with the choices made to address these challenges. The paper assesses hypothetical scenarios in which countries with a statutory national minimum wage increase their minimum wage to various reference values, set in relation to the gross national median and average wage. The model simulations suggest that minimum wage increases can significantly reduce in-work poverty, wage inequality and the gender pay gap, while generally improving the public budget balance. The implied wage increases for the beneficiaries are substantial, while the implied increases in the aggregate wage bill and, as a consequence, possible negative employment impacts, are generally modest." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Lübker, Malte & Thorsten Schulten (2021): WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2021. Ist Europa auf dem Weg zu angemessenen Mindestlöhnen? In: WSI-Mitteilungen, Jg. 74, H. 2 Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, S. 127-139. DOI:10.5771/0342-300X-2021-2-127

Abstract

"Ende 2020 hat die Europäische Kommission einen ersten Entwurf für eine Richtlinie über angemessene Mindestlöhne vorgelegt. Ausgangspunkt ist die Überlegung, dass die Mindestlöhne in fast allen Mitgliedsstaaten unter der international üblichen Schwelle von 60 % des Medianlohns bzw. 50 % des Durchschnittslohns liegen und damit für ein menschenwürdiges Leben nicht ausreichen. Der diesjährige WSI-Mindestlohnbericht dokumentiert, dass zum Erreichen dieser Richtwerte in den meisten Ländern deutliche Anhebungen der Mindestlöhne notwendig sind. Auch wenn das Wachstum der Mindestlöhne in der EU in diesem Jahr – bedingt durch die Corona-Pandemie – mit nur 3,1 % (nominal) bzw. 1,6 % (real) deutlich geringer ausfällt als in den Vorjahren, so zeigen internationale Erfahrungswerte, dass Mindestlohnsteigerungen in der erforderlichen Größenordnung mittelfristig ein realistisches Ziel sind. Von einer entsprechenden Anhebung der Mindestlöhne würden in der EU 25,3 Mio. Beschäftigten profitieren, davon 6,8 Mio. in Deutschland. Die Initiative der Europäischen Kommission verdeutlicht damit auch den politischen Handlungsbedarf in Deutschland, wo 60 % des Medianlohns einem Mindestlohn von ca. 12 € entsprechen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Lübker, Malte & Thorsten Schulten (2021): WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2021. Ist Europa auf dem Weg zu angemessenen Mindestlöhnen? (WSI-Report 63), Düsseldorf, 18 S.

Abstract

"Angemessene Mindestlöhne für alle Beschäftigten in Europa sind das Ziel, das die Europäische Kommission mit einem Ende 2020 vorgestellten Richtlinienentwurf verfolgt. Um ein menschenwürdiges Einkommen zu ermöglichen, müssen die Mindestlöhne in nahezu allen EU-Mitgliedsländern erheblich steigen - ein mittelfristiges Vorhaben, welches nach Berechnungen der Kommission deutlich positive soziale Auswirkungen hätte. So würden mehr als 25 Mio. Beschäftigte in Europa davon profitieren, wenn die gesetzlichen Mindestlöhne auf 60 % des Medianlohns bzw. 50 % des Durchschnittslohns angehoben werden würden. Allein in Deutschland, wo 60 % des Medians einem Mindestlohn von rund 12 entsprechen, gäbe es gut 6,8 Mio. Begünstigte." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Maarek, Paul & Elliot Moiteaux (2021): Polarization, employment and the minimum wage: Evidence from European local labor markets. In: Labour Economics, Jg. 73. DOI:10.1016/j.labeco.2021.102076

Abstract

"The labor market is becoming increasingly polarized as routine jobs disappear. In the flexible US labor market, this has had a limited impact on employment due to the strong employment growth in low-paying manual occupations for workers who are not able to reallocate to high-paying abstract occupations. This may not be the case in some rigid wage European economies, which are capable of creating fewer low-paying manual jobs. We study the effect of a decrease in the proportion of routine jobs on employment and participation rates, conditionally on the level of the minimum wage, in European local labor markets. Our OLS and IV estimates show that the polarization process has a negative impact on employment and participation rates in high minimum wage countries only." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2022 Elsevier) ((en))

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Detragiache, Enrica, Christian H. Ebeke, La-Bhus Fah Jirasavetakul, Koralai Kirabaeva, Davide Malacrino, Florian Misch, Hyun Woo Park & Yu Shi (2020): A European Minimum Wage: Implications for Poverty and Macroeconomic Imbalances. (IMF working paper 2020,59), Washington, DC, 46 S.

Abstract

"A hypothetical European Minimum Wage (MW) set at 60 percent of each country's median wage would reduce in-work poverty but have limited effects on overall poverty, as many poor households do not earn a wage near MW and higher unemployment, higher prices, and a loss of social insurance benefits may erode direct benefits. Turning to competitiveness, since the MW increase to reach the European standard would be larger in euro area countries with excessive external surpluses, the associated real appreciation should help curb existing imbalances. However, a few countries with already weak external positions would experience an undesirable real appreciation." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Fahrenbruch, Walter (2020): Zur Anwendbarkeit des Mindestlohngesetzes beim grenzüberschreitenden Gütertransport. (Studien zum deutschen und europäischen Arbeitsrecht 85), Baden-Baden: Nomos, 234 S. DOI:10.5771/9783748910435

Abstract

"Die Arbeit behandelt Frage, ob bei ausländischen Lkw-Fahrern/-innen, die in Erfüllung ihrer Arbeitspflicht lediglich durch das deutsche Gebiet fahren oder sich dorthin zur Be- und/oder Entladung begeben und es wieder verlassen, für die Zeit ihres Aufenthaltes in Deutschland das deutsche Mindestlohngesetz Anwendung findet. Zunächst wird die Anwendbarkeit des deutschen Mindestlohngesetzes nach den Vorgaben des internationalen Privatrechts untersucht. Sodann wird die Vereinbarkeit einer umfassenden Geltung des Mindestlohngesetzes im Lichte des Europarechts geprüft. Letztlich wird erörtert, welchen Nutzen eine umfassende Geltung für das betroffene ausländische Fahrpersonal tatsächlich hätte." (Autorenreferat, © Nomos)

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Gerritsen, Aart & Bas Jacobs (2020): Is a minimum wage an appropriate instrument for redistribution? In: Economica, Jg. 87, H. 347, S. 611–637. DOI:10.1111/ecca.12323

Abstract

"We analyse the redistributional (dis)advantages of a minimum wage over income taxation in competitive labour markets without imposing assumptions on the (in)efficiency of labour rationing. Compared to a distributionally equivalent tax change, a minimum-wage increase raises involuntary unemployment, but also raises skill formation as some individuals avoid unemployment. A minimum wage is an appropriate instrument for redistribution if and only if the public revenue gains from additional skill formation outweigh both the public revenue losses from additional unemployment and the utility losses of inefficient labour rationing. We show that this critically depends on how labour rationing is distributed among workers. A necessary condition for the desirability of a minimum-wage increase is that the public revenue gains from higher skill formation outweigh the revenue losses from higher unemployment. We write this condition in terms of measurable sufficient statistics." (Author's abstract, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

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Kucera, Tomas (2020): Are Employment Effects of Minimum Wage the Same Across the EU? A Meta-Regression Analysis. (IEW working paper / Institut Ekonomických Studií (Prag) 2020,02), Praha, 39 S.

Abstract

"There is still an ongoing debate on employment effects of minimum wage. Not only the magnitude, but also the direction of the effect is a matter of concern. Economic theory on its own cannot unanimously resolve the dispute as it provides concepts within which both negative and positive effects are conceivable. In order to integrate the empirical findings, I deployed a meta-regression analysis (MRA) to systematically review 187 estimates from 18 empirical studies that estimated minimum wage elasticities of employment for countries of the EU. The results show that, overall, there is no practically significant employment effect of minimum wage. Also, no evidence of publication selection bias was found. A more sophisticated, multivariate MRA identified differential effects for specific industries, namely residential home care and retail sector for which the employment effects are significantly negative. The results also indicate that minimum wage negatively affects female employment. Finally, the multiple MRA also investigated whether the employment effects differ across three wider regions of the EU (the West, the South, and the East). The results provide robust evidence of significant differential effects, and show that minimum wage has moderately negative employment effects in the eastern countries of the EU." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Roth, Duncan (2020): Nichteinhaltung des Mindestlohns in Deutschland. Stellungnahme des IAB zur öffentlichen Anhörung des Ausschusses für Arbeit, Gesundheit und Soziales im Landtag Nordrhein-Westfalen am 9.9.2020. (IAB-Stellungnahme 07/2020), Nürnberg, 11 S.

Abstract

"Seit dem 1. Januar 2015 gilt in Deutschland ein einheitlicher gesetzlicher Mindestlohn. Zwar belegen Forschungsergebnisse einen positiven Effekt auf Löhne am unteren Ende der Lohnverteilung, der mit der Einführung des Mindestlohns einhergeht. Dieser Befund bedeutet jedoch nicht, dass es keine Unterschreitung des Mindestlohns gibt. Wie viele Personen unterhalb der Mindestlohngrenze bezahlt werden, ist bisher nicht abschließend geklärt worden. Die Einschätzungen zu dieser Frage reichen von etwa 483.000 Personen im Jahr 2018 bis zu 2,4 Millionen Personen. In dieser Stellungnahme werden die Schwierigkeiten beschrieben, das Ausmaß der Nichteinhaltung mit den vorliegenden Datensätzen abzuschätzen. Für eine bessere Einordnung werden darüber hinaus entsprechende Einschätzungen zur Mindestlohnunterschreitung aus anderen Ländern zusammengefasst. Abschließend werden aktuelle Erkenntnisse zur Frage beschrieben, inwiefern die Aufzeichnungspflicht dazu beiträgt, das Ausmaß der Nichteinhaltung zu reduzieren." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Schulten, Thorsten & Malte Lübker (2020): WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2020. Europäische Mindestlohninitiative vor dem Durchbruch? (WSI-Report 55), Düsseldorf, 15 S.

Abstract

"2020 könnte in Europa das Jahr des Mindestlohns werden. Erstmals hat die Europäische Kommission die Initiative für eine europäische Mindestlohnpolitik ergriffen, um überall in Europa "gerechte", d. h. armutsfeste und existenzsichernde Mindestlöhne durchzusetzen. Zugleich werden in vielen EU-Staaten Diskussionen über eine deutlich stärkere Anhebung der Mindestlöhne auf nationaler Ebene geführt. Die Debatte in Deutschland über einen Mindestlohn von 12 Euro ist folglich kein Einzelfall, sondern fügt sich ein in ein europäisches Entwicklungsmuster, das schon seit einigen Jahren eine Tendenz zu deutlich höheren Mindestlohnzuwächsen aufweist. Eine europäische Mindestlohnpolitik könnte den Trend zu höheren Mindestlöhnen weiter beschleunigen und die verschiedenen nationalen Initiativen in eine europäische Gesamtstrategie einbetten." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Dingeldey, Irene (2019): Mindestlöhne und Tarifpolitik in den Branchen. Ein deutsch-niederländischer Vergleich. In: N. Burzan (Hrsg.) (2019): Komplexe Dynamiken globaler und lokaler Entwicklungen, Göttingen, S. 1-10.

Abstract

"Der Beitrag untersucht die Frage, ob der Einfluss des Mindestlohns auf die Tarifpolitik innerhalb eines Landes sich nach Branchen differenziert. Um diese Frage zu beantworten, werden die Metall- und Elektroindustrie, die Gebäudereinigung und der Einzelhandel in Deutschland und den Niederlanden vergleichend analysiert. Dabei lehnen wir uns an die vorliegende Typologie von Grimshaw und Bosch (2013) bzw. Bosch und Weinkopf (2013) an, um mögliche Differenzen zwischen den Ländern und Branchen zu identifizieren. Berücksichtigt wird auch, inwiefern die beobachteten Wechselwirkungen dazu beitragen, dass die untersten Tariflöhne in den Branchen über der Niedriglohnschwelle liegen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Köppl-Turyna, Monika, Michael Christl & Dénes Kucsera (2019): Beschäftigungseffekte von Mindestlöhnen. Die Dosis macht das Gift. In: Ifo-Schnelldienst, Jg. 72, H. 2, S. 40-46.

Abstract

"Die Diskussion über die Beschäftigungseffekte von Mindestlöhnen ist seit vielen Jahrzehnten in Gange. In ihrem Beitrag verwenden Monika Köppl-Turyna, Michael Christl und Dénes Kucsera, Agenda Austria, ihr empirisches Modell, das auf der Annahme von nicht-linearen Beschäftigungseffekten von Mindestlöhnen basiert. Diese Effekte entstehen aus zwei Gründen: Einerseits reduzieren Unternehmen aufgrund höherer Mindestlöhne die Anzahl der angebotenen Stellen, anderseits führen steigende Löhne zu einem höheren Anreiz, einen Job anzunehmen. Der signifikante, nicht-lineare empirische Zusammenhang zwischen Mindestlohn und Beschäftigung ermöglicht die Berechnung einer Mindestlohnhöhe, bei der die Beschäftigung maximiert wird. Diese Höhe des Mindestlohns hängt nicht nur von der Arbeitsproduktivität, sondern auch von der Konjunktur ab. In wirtschaftlich guten Zeiten beziehungsweise in Ländern mit hoher Arbeitsproduktivität ist ein höherer Mindestlohn ohne negative Beschäftigungseffekte möglich. Für Deutschland kommen die Autoren zu dem Ergebnis, dass der derzeitige Mindestlohn beinahe dem Optimalen entspricht. Es zeigt sich aber auch, dass bei einer veränderten Konjunktur oder bei einer Anhebung des Mindestlohns mit stärkeren negativen Beschäftigungseffekten zu rechnen ist." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Pereira, João M. R. & Aurora Galego (2019): Diverging trends of wage inequality in Europe. In: Oxford economic papers, Jg. 71, H. 4, S. 799-823. DOI:10.1093/oep/gpy072

Abstract

"Since the middle/end of the 2000s wage inequality has increased in some European countries (such as Portugal or the UK) and decreased in others (especially in Hungary and Poland). In this article, we analyse the role of the minimum wage and of workers' and firms' observed characteristics behind these diverging trends in wage inequality. Our findings indicate that compositional changes as regards education are a key factor pushing up inequality in the majority of the countries, but particularly in Italy and Portugal. Other factors either contribute to increased or decreased inequality, specifically minimum wage changes, the percentage of non-native employees and native wage premiums. Minimum wage changes seem to be of crucial importance in Greece, Hungary and Poland. Finally, the presence of non-natives in the labour market is a key determinant in the UK, but also to some extent in Austria and Hungary." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Schulten, Thorsten & Torsten Müller (2019): What's in a name? From minimum wages to living wages in Europe. In: Transfer, Jg. 25, H. 3, S. 267-284. DOI:10.1177/1024258919873989

Abstract

"Die Entwicklung einer europäischen Mindestlohnpolitik ist zurück auf der politischen Agenda. Während in der Vergangenheit die Diskussion über eine europäische Mindestlohnpolitik weitgehend losgelöst von realen Entwicklungen auf nationaler Ebene stattfand, wird die jüngste Debatte durch verschiedene nationale Initiativen zur Sicherung eines Living Wage gestützt, der den Beschäftigten und ihren Familien einen angemessenen Lebensstandard ermöglichen soll. Basierend auf einer Einführung des Living Wage-Konzepts untersucht der Artikel, wie sich die jüngsten Living Wage-Initiativen in mehreren EU-Mitgliedsstaaten und die Entwicklung einer europäischen Mindestlohnpolitik gegenseitig unterstützen und letztendlich zu einer europäischen Living Wage-Politik führen können. Angesicht der Heterogenität der Mindestlohnsysteme und der Wohlfahrtsstaatstraditionen in Europa plädiert der Artikel für einen pragmatischen Ansatz. Dieser definiert einen gemeinsamen europäischen Standard von 60 Prozent des nationalen Medianlohns als Maßstab für die Bewertung, inwieweit Mindestlöhne in der Lage sind, einen angemessenen Lebensstandard zu garantieren." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Schulten, Thorsten & Malte Lübker (2019): WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2019. Zeit für kräftige Lohnzuwächse und eine europäische Mindestlohnpolitik. In: WSI-Mitteilungen, Jg. 72, H. 2, S. 133-141. DOI:10.5771/0342-300X-2019-2-133

Abstract

"Die Rolle von Mindestlöhnen als Instrument zur Schaffung existenzsichernder Löhne ist in den letzten Jahren zunehmend in den Fokus der politischen Debatte gerückt. Vor diesem Hintergrund analysiert der WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2019 die aktuelle Entwicklung der Mindestlöhne in den 22?Ländern der Europäischen Union, die eine gesetzliche Lohnuntergrenze haben, und darüber hinaus in 15 weiteren EU-Anrainerstaaten und wichtigen Volkswirtschaften in Übersee. Im Ergebnis zeigt sich, dass sich die Dynamik der Vorjahre fortsetzt und die Mindestlöhne in der EU zum Beginn des Jahre 2019 im Median um 4,8?% gestiegen sind. Getragen wird diese Entwicklung insbesondere von der anhaltenden Aufholbewegung der osteuropäischen Mitgliedstaaten, aber auch von einer substanziellen Anhebung in Spanien. Inzwischen erreichen die Mindestlöhne in der EU ein Niveau von gut 50?% der Medianlöhne, womit sie jedoch weiterhin deutlich unter der Niedriglohnschwelle liegen. Eine koordinierte, strukturelle Anhebung der untersten Löhne ist dabei eine wichtige Zielsetzung für eine Europäische Mindestlohnpolitik." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Wagner, Bettina (2019): Europäische Arbeitsbehörde und Reform der EU-Entsenderichtlinie - Wirksame Instrumente zur grenzüberschreitenden Bekämpfung von Lohn- und Sozialdumping? In: WISO, Jg. 42, H. 3, S. 11-25.

Abstract

"Dieser Beitrag widmet sich der Einführung der Europäischen Arbeitsbehörde sowie der Reform der Entsenderichtlinie und analysiert diese Maßnahmen in Hinblick auf ihre Wirksamkeit in der Bekämpfung von Sozialdumping. In der EU ansässige Firmen haben das Recht, grenzübergreifend Dienstleistungen anzubieten und zur Ausführung der Tätigkeiten eigene Arbeitnehmer/-innen zu entsenden. Diese Freiheiten werden seit vielen Jahren intensiv, aber nicht immer nur zum Vorteil der betroffenen Arbeitnehmer/-innen angewandt und wurden seitdem durch eine Vielzahl von Richtlinien und Verordnungen ausgelegt und erweitert. Die Spannungsfelder und Interessenkonflikte, die sich zwischen den Akteuren/-innen auftun und wie diese innerhalb einer ständig wachsenden Europäischen Union verhandelt werden und werden sollten, ist ein weiterer Schwerpunkt dieses Beitrags" (Autorenreferat, © ISW-Linz)

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Zimmer, Reingard (2019): Living wages in international and European law. In: Transfer, Jg. 25, H. 3, S. 285-299. DOI:10.1177/1024258919873831

Abstract

"In einer Reihe von Ländern weltweit existieren gesetzliche Mindestlöhne. Im Allgemeinen sind gesetzliche Mindestlöhne aber keine Living Wages, obwohl dieses Recht in unterschiedlichen Abkommen nach internationalem und europäischem Recht garantiert ist. Die Europäische Sozialcharta, zum Beispiel, schreibt einen Living Wage fest, nach dem der Rechtssprechung des Aufsichtsgremiums folgend eine angemessene Entlohnung bei 60 Prozent des durchschnittlichen Nettolohnes liegt. Nach der in diesem Beitrag vertretenen Ansicht enthält auch die EU-Grundrechtecharta ein Recht auf einen Living Wage, der bei mindestens 60 Prozent des durchschnittlichen Nettolohnes angesetzt sein sollte. Die Grundrechtecharta ist rechtlich bindend für Agenturen, Institutionen und andere Organe der EU. Mitgliedsstaaten sind nur in dem Ausmaß gebunden, wie der Anwendungsbereich des EU-Rechts eröffnet wurde. Das ist einerseits bei der Umsetzung von EU-Recht der Fall oder wenn sich Verpflichtungen aus dem Bezug zu anderen Bereichen des EU-Rechts ergeben. Durch internationales Recht festgelegte Werte sind jedoch bei der Auslegung nationaler Gesetze zu berücksichtigen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (2019): Minimum wages in 2019: Annual review. (Eurofound research report / European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions), Dublin, 49 S. DOI:10.2806/670582

Abstract

"In most EU Member States, reviews of the statutory minimum wage rates spark a great deal of public interest. Such reviews affect the wider workforce, beyond those workers on the statutory minimum wage. Pay rates in collective agreements may be adapted in response to an increase in the minimum wage, affecting lower-paid workers more generally; social benefits may also be affected, making the impact of such revisions even more widespread. This report covers developments in statutory minimum wages in 2018 - 2019 in the EU and Norway. It looks at the level of minimum wages, how they were set and how they have developed over time in nominal and real terms. It also covers major debates in relation to setting minimum wage levels. While the report focuses on the net remuneration of those receiving the minimum wage, it also documents minimum rates from selected collective agreements in countries without statutory minimum wages as well as minimum wage coverage rates of workers by gender." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Adema, Joop, Yvonne Giesing, Anne Schönauer & Tanja Stitteneder (2018): Minimum wages across countries. In: ifo DICE report, Jg. 16, H. 4, S. 55-63.

Abstract

"In the following sections, we will provide a descriptive overview of minimum wages across the world, focusing on Europe and selected other countries. We begin by elaborating on the history of (statutory) minimum wages, their prevalence, the (relative) level of minimum wages and the short-term trends in the level for the countries concerned. Secondly, we consider the numerous exceptions to minimum wages and how countries determine minimum wages. Furthermore, we discuss the extent to which the minimum wage actually affects labour markets across countries and over time. Ultimately, we will cover some of the recent debates regarding minimum wages by taking a closer look at China, South-Africa and Sweden." (Text excerpt, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Bodnár, Katalin, Ludmila Fadejeva, Stefania Iordache, Liina Malk, Desislava Paskaleva, Jurga Pesliakaite, Nataša Todorovic Jemec, Peter Tóth & Robert Wyszynski (2018): How do firms adjust to rises in the minimum wage? Survey evidence from Central and Eastern Europe. In: IZA journal of labor policy, Jg. 7, S. 1-30. DOI:10.1186/s40173-018-0104-x

Abstract

"We study the transmission channels for rises in the minimum wage using a unique firm-level dataset from eight Central and Eastern European countries. Representative samples of firms in each country were asked to evaluate the relevance of a wide range of adjustment channels following specific instances of rises in the minimum wage during the recent post-crisis period. The paper adds to the rest of literature by presenting the reactions of firms as a combination of strategies and evaluates the relative importance of those strategies. Our findings suggest that the most popular adjustment channels are cuts in non-labour costs, rises in product prices, and improvements in productivity. Cuts in employment are less popular and occur mostly through reduced hiring rather than direct layoffs. Our study also provides evidence of potential spillover effects that rises in the minimum wage can have on firms without minimum wage workers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Christl, Michael, Monika Köppl-Turyna & Dénes Kucsera (2018): Revisiting the employment effects of minimum wages in Europe. In: German economic review, Jg. 19, H. 4, S. 426-465. DOI:10.1111/geer.12135

Abstract

"The aim of this study is to estimate the relationship between the minimum wage and the employment rate of young individuals, taking into account potential nonlinearity. In a cross-country setup of European countries, we find a significant nonlinear relationship between the minimum wages and employment rate of young individuals. Theoretically, while low minimum wages can indeed be positively associated with employment, after a certain level of the minimum wage, the relationship turns negative. This implies that there is an optimal level of minimum wages that maximizes the employment rate of young individuals. We additionally show that the negative relationship between minimum wages and employment of young workers is stronger if labor markets are otherwise strictly regulated and when workers are relatively unproductive. Using these results, we are able to calculate country-specific turning points and show that some European countries in our sample might in fact contribute to high unemployment rates among young individuals by setting minimum wages too high. However, in other European countries, especially the Eastern European countries, an increase in minimum wages (up to a certain level) might even lead to higher employment rates of young individuals." (Author's abstract, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

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Christl, Michael, Monika Köppl-Turyna & Dénes Kucsera (2018): Employment effects of minimum wages. In: ifo DICE report, Jg. 16, H. 4, S. 3-8.

Abstract

"The aim of this contribution is to summarise the findings of our research. What makes our research different from that of others is that we try to take supply- side effects of minimum wages into account. In other words, we estimate whether the theoretically predicted non-linear effects of minimum wages exist. Empirical papers have assumed linear employment effects of minimum wages in a cross-country set-up. A non-linear relationship could be an explanation not only for insignificant, but also for heterogeneous results from previous studies on the employment effects of minimum wages." (Textauszug, IAB-Doku)

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Fric, Karel (2018): Statutory minimum wages in the EU 2018. First findings. Dublin, 11 S.

Abstract

"In 2018, 22 out of the 28 EU Member States apply a generally binding statutory minimum wage. In Cyprus, a statutory minimum wage exists but is limited to specific occupations. In the remaining five EU Member States (Austria, Denmark, Finland, Italy and Sweden), while there is no statutory minimum wage, the minimum wage level is de facto set in (sectoral) collective agreements. It is important to note that the coverage of these agreements varies between countries and, as some employees are not covered, they may not be entitled to any minimum wage. According to an article by Garnero et al (2015), the combination of sectoral minima and high collective bargaining coverage can be regarded as the functional equivalent of a binding statutory minimum wage, at least for earnings inequalities. The focus of this article is on those countries having a generally applicable statutory minimum wage. There is a huge variation in the statutory minimum wage rates valid at 1 January 2018 across EU Member States." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Gautier, Pieter A. & José L. Moraga-González (2018): Search intensity, wage dispersion and the minimum wage. In: Labour economics, Jg. 50, H. March, S. 80-86. DOI:10.1016/j.labeco.2017.04.003

Abstract

"We study a labor market where employers post wages and workers simultaneously choose the number of applications they send out. Firms offer the job to a worker at random; workers with multiple offers pick the best one. If the application costs are sufficiently low, workers contact multiple firms and there is wage dispersion in equilibrium. The number of applications workers send out is excessive from a welfare perspective due to a rent seeking externality. A mandatory minimum wage increases the mean and reduces the variance of the wage distribution. The net effect on welfare is ambiguous." (Author's abstract, © 2017 Elsevier) ((en))

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Lübker, Malte & Thorsten Schulten (2018): WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2018. Preisentwicklung dämpft reale Lohnzuwächse. (WSI-Report 39), Düsseldorf, 13 S.

Abstract

"Die Forderung nach einem existenzsichernden Lohn für alle ist in den letzten Monaten in Deutschland und Europa wieder verstärkt ins Zentrum des öffentlichen Interesses gerückt. So enthält die europäische Säule sozialer Rechte ein Bekenntnis zu angemessenen Mindestlöhnen. Frankreichs Präsident Macron hat die wichtige Rolle von Mindestlöhnen für das europäische Sozialmodell herausgestrichen, und in Deutschland bekennen sich CDU, CSU und SPD in ihrem Koalitionsvertrag zu einem europäischen Rahmen für Mindestlohnregelungen. Der WSI-Mindestlohnbericht trägt zu dieser Debatte mit einer umfassenden Analyse der aktuellen Entwicklungen der Mindestlöhne in Europa und darüber hinaus bei. Er konstatiert insbesondere für Deutschland Potential für eine stärkere Anhebung des Mindestlohns auf ein existenzsicherndes Niveau, das sich auch aus einem im europäischen Vergleich relativ niedrigen Mindestlohnwert ergibt." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Marimpi, Maria & Pierre Koning (2018): Youth minimum wages and youth employment. In: IZA journal of labor policy, Jg. 7, S. 1-18. DOI:10.1186/s40173-018-0098-4

Abstract

"This paper performs a cross-country level analysis on the impact of the level of specific youth minimum wages on the labor market performance of young individuals. We use information on the use and level of youth minimum wages, as compared to the level of adult minimum wages as well as to the median wage (i.e., the Kaitz index). We complement these data with variables on the employment, labor force participation, and unemployment rates of 5-year age interval categories - all derived from the official OECD database. We distinguish between countries without minimum wages, countries with uniform minimum wages for all age groups, and countries with separate youth and adult minimum wages. Our results indicate that the relative employment rates of young individuals below the age of 25 - as compared to the older workers - in countries with youth minimum wages are close to those in countries without minimum wages at all. Turning to the smaller sample of countries with minimum wages, increases in the level of (youth) minimum wages exert a substantial negative impact on the employment rate for young individuals." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Sturn, Simon (2018): Do minimum wages lead to job losses? Evidence from OECD countries on low-skilled and youth employment. In: ILR review, Jg. 71, H. 3, S. 647-675. DOI:10.1177/0019793917741259

Abstract

"The author investigates effects of minimum wage rates on low-skilled, female low-skilled, and youth employment. The sample consists of 19 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries from 1997 to 2013 for low-skilled workers and from 1983 to 2013 for young workers. Six different static or dynamic estimation approaches are applied on different versions of the specifications, controlling for up to quadratic time trends. The author further investigates the effects over the long run and over the business cycle as well as the effects of high minimum wages and of institutional complementarities. The findings provide little evidence of substantial disemployment effects for low-skilled, female low-skilled, or young workers. The estimated employment elasticities are small and statistically indistinguishable from zero. The author then considers why his results on youth employment differ from those of Neumark and Wascher (2004), showing that they overstate precision and that small changes in their specifications lead to minimum wage effects close to zero." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Fabo, Brian & Sharon Sarah Belli (2017): (Un)beliveable wages? An analysis of minimum wage policies in Europe from a living wage perspective. In: IZA journal of labor policy, Jg. 6, S. 1-11. DOI:10.1186/s40173-017-0083-3

Abstract

"Minimum wage is one of the most debated issues in the labour policy area. Often perceived as a trade-off between employment and equality in earnings, the debate on minimum wage is highly polarized. With regard to the undergoing discussions on the Social Pillar of the European integration, we aim to extend the debate to include the aspect of minimum living standards, by empirically showing the gap between minimum wages and the minimum living wages in the peripheral countries of the European Union." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Horton, John J. (2017): Price floors and employer preferences. Evidence from a minimum wage experiment. (CESifo working paper 6548), München, 76 S.

Abstract

"Minimum hourly wages were randomly imposed on firms posting job openings in an online labor market. A higher minimum wage raised the wages of hired workers substantially. However, there was some reduction in hiring and large reductions in hours-worked. Treated firms hired more productive workers, which can explain, in part, the reduction in hours-worked: with more productive workers, projects were completed in less time. At the conclusion of the experiment, the platform imposed a market-wide minimum wage. A difference-in-differences analysis shows that, in equilibrium, firms still substitute towards more productive workers, adversely affecting less productive workers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Schulten, Thorsten (2017): WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2017. Hohe Zuwächse in Europa. In: WSI-Mitteilungen, Jg. 70, H. 2, S. 135-141. DOI:10.5771/0342-300X-2017-2-135

Abstract

"Der WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2017 gibt einen aktuellen Überblick über die Entwicklung der Mindestlöhne in 37 Staaten in- und außerhalb Europas. Unter Auswertung der WSI-Mindestlohndatenbank werden neueste Daten zur Höhe und Entwicklung gesetzlicher Mindestlöhne präsentiert. Im Jahr 2016 hat sich das Wachstum der Mindestlöhne noch einmal beschleunigt und damit den bereits seit einigen Jahren andauernden Trend hin zu einer dynamischeren Mindestlohnentwicklung fortgesetzt. Angesicht eines in vielen Ländern immer noch sehr geringen Mindestlohnniveaus dürften auch in Zukunft stärkere Mindestlohnerhöhungen auf der Tagesordnung stehen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Tijdens, Kea G. (2017): Institutional arrangements regarding minimum wage setting in 195 countries. (AIAS working paper 170), Amsterdam, 44 S.

Abstract

"ILO Conventions C026 and C131 challenge countries to implement minimum wage-fixing mechanisms. How many countries do have a statutory minimum wage ((S)MW)? How many apply differentiated MWs? How many set MW by Collective Bargaining (CB)? And how many do not have either of these? This paper adresses these four questions. On this behalf we merged 12 databases with information about MW fixing mechanisms and their coverage (Eurofound, ICTWSS, five ILO databases, MACHequity, three WageIndicator databases, WorldBank). They vary regarding years and countries covered and characteristics coded. Europea and Latin America were best represented, co Oceania least. The merged database includes information about 195 countries for five years (2011 - 2015). Clearly, the absence of a single institution responsible for collecting MW policies and rates impedes producing adequate wordwide overviews. Against this backdrop we present and discuss outcomes of our inventory.
Based on the harmonised database (97 countries with data covering all five years) we found that between 2011 and 2015 the percentage of countries with a SMW policy increased from 92% to 94%. According to the merged database (all 195 countries) between 75% and 93% of these countries applied a MW-fixing mechanism in at least one year.
If a differentiated MW is defined as covering part of the dependent labour force only data is available for OECD countries and some others, indicating that 15% of the 48 countries at stake applied a partial minimum wage. If a differentiated MW is defined as covering the entire dependent labour force though with varying rates, a database of 76 countries with a SMW allowed to conclude that 53% applied differentiated MWs. Most breakdowns were by industry, followed by geographical areas and occupation. We found that countries with multiple MWs tend to mimic CB outcomes.
Using the merged database we found that less than 3% of developing countries applied MW fixing through CB. Across Europe this share was considerably higher but decreasing. We detailed the underlying changes. Finally, we studied which countries recently did not have a MW; this was the case (over at least three years) for 16 countries." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Wilson, Shaun (2017): The Politics of 'Minimum Wage' Welfare States. The Changing Significance of the Minimum Wage in the Liberal Welfare Regime. In: Social policy and administration, Jg. 51, H. 2, S. 244-264. DOI:10.1111/spol.12286

Abstract

"There have been sharply contrasting scenarios of the long-term pattern of change in the quality of work and employment in the advanced societies. Three broad perspectives have dominated enquiry in the last three decades: an optimistic tradition emphasizing progressive improvement in skills and the quality of work; a pessimistic tradition underlining emerging threats to employment and job quality; and, lastly, an institutional tradition pointing to long-term structural differences between societies. We start by briefly outlining some of the key contrasts between these scenarios and then review the current state of empirical research with respect to three key aspects of the quality of work and employment: the structure of skills; the intrinsic quality of work in terms of job control and work intensity; and, lastly, job insecurity." (Author's abstract, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

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Bossler, Mario (2016): Mindestlohn in Deutschland, Großbritannien und in den USA. In: Wirtschaftsdienst, Jg. 96, H. 6, S. 422-425., 2016-04-29. DOI:10.1007/s10273-016-1992-2

Abstract

"Die Diskussion über die Auswirkungen des allgemeinen gesetzlichen Mindestlohns in Deutschland ist in vollem Gange. Erste Evaluationsergebnisse zeigen, dass der Mindestlohn in Deutschland nur einen moderaten Beschäftigungsverlust nach sich zog, wobei langfristige Auswirkungen zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt schwierig zu schätzen sind. Während in Deutschland gefordert wird, den Mindestlohn mit Augenmaß und unter Berücksichtigung bestehender Evidenz zu erhöhen, werden Mindestlöhne in Großbritannien und den USA teilweise über die bisherigen empirischen Erfahrungen hinaus angehoben." (Autorenreferat, © Springer-Verlag)

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Fernández-Macías, Enrique & Carlos Vacas-Soriano (2016): A coordinated European Union minimum wage policy? In: European journal of industrial relations, Jg. 22, H. 2, S. 97-113. DOI:10.1177/0959680115610725

Abstract

"This article contributes to the growing debate on minimum wage coordination at European Union (EU) level. We consider the introduction of a hypothetical EU-wide minimum set at 60 percent of the median wage in each European country; we compare the diverse minimum wage-setting systems across Europe and discuss how they could be affected by such policy. The institutional impact of this European common threshold would be larger in those countries where minimum wages are currently collectively agreed by social partners than in those countries where they are set by statutory regulation. But according to our statistical analysis, such EU-wide minimum wage would affect a larger proportion of the workforce in those countries with statutory minimum wages, since they tend to have a larger low-paid segment of employment." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Manning, Alan (2016): The elusive employment effect of the minimum wage. (CEP discussion paper 1428), London, 25 S.

Abstract

"There is a huge body of empirical research on the employment effect of the minimum wage that has failed to clearly demonstrate the negative effect that so many economists strongly believe to find. This paper reviews the reasons for this and argues that the literature needs to re-focus to further our knowledge on the topic." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Schulten, Thorsten (2016): "Living wages" oder Armutslöhne? Ziele einer europäischen Mindestlohnpolitik. In: WSI-Mitteilungen, Jg. 69, H. 1, S. 70-72. DOI:10.5771/0342-300X-2016-1-70

Abstract

"Obwohl in vielen EU-Staaten seit Langem gesetzliche Mindestlöhne existieren, ist das Phänomen der Erwerbsarmut nach wie vor weit verbreitet. Mindestlöhne werden hierbei oft auf einem sehr niedrigen Niveau festgelegt und sind de facto Armutslöhne. In jüngster Zeit haben sich dagegen in mehreren Ländern sogenannte 'Living-wage-Initiativen' herausgebildet, die das Ziel verfolgen, existenzsichernde Mindestlöhne durchzusetzen. Eine europäische Mindestlohnpolitik hätte vor diesem Hintergrund die Aufgabe, die nationalen Initiativen auf europäischer Ebene zu koordinieren und entlang gemeinsam definierter Ziele und Normen dafür zu sorgen, dass Mindestlöhne überall in Europa zu 'living wages' werden." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Schulten, Thorsten (2016): WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2016. Anhaltende Entwicklungsdynamik in Europa. In: WSI-Mitteilungen, Jg. 69, H. 2, S. 129-135. DOI:10.5771/0342-300X-2016-2-129

Abstract

"Der WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2016 gibt einen aktuellen Überblick über die Entwicklung der Mindestlöhne in 37 Staaten in- und außerhalb Europas. Unter Auswertung der WSI-Mindestlohndatenbank werden neueste Daten zur Höhe und Entwicklung gesetzlicher Mindestlöhne präsentiert. Im Jahr 2015 setzte sich in vielen Ländern eine dynamischere Lohnentwicklung als in der Vergangenheit fort, die allerdings bereits in den Jahren 2015 und 2014 begonnen hatte. Aufgrund der niedrigen Inflationsraten konnten die Mindestlohnbezieher in vielen Ländern erhebliche Reallohnzuwächse verzeichnen. Um jedoch auch einen wirksamen Beitrag zur Bekämpfung von Deflationsgefahren zu leisten, müssten die Mindestlöhne auch in diesem Jahr deutlich ansteigen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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International Labour Office (2016): Global wage report 2016/17. Wage inequality in the workplace. (Global wage report 05), Genf, 114 S.

Abstract

"The 2016/17 edition examines inequality at the workplace level, providing empirical evidence on the extent to which wage inequality is the result of wage inequality between enterprises as well as within enterprises. The report also includes a review of key policy issues regarding wages." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Garnero, Andrea, Stephan Kampelmann & François Rycx (2015): Minimum wage systems and earnings inequalities. Does institutional diversity matter? In: European journal of industrial relations, Jg. 21, H. 2, S. 115-130. DOI:10.1177/0959680114527034

Abstract

"This article explores how the diversity of minimum wage systems affects earnings inequalities within European countries. It relies on the combination of harmonized microdata from household surveys, data on national statutory minimum wages and coverage rates and information on minimum rates compiled from more than 1100 sectoral-level agreements across Europe. The analysis covers 18 countries over the period 2007 - 2009. Empirical results confirm the intuition of many practitioners that the combination of sectoral minima and high collective bargaining coverage can be regarded as a functional equivalent of a binding statutory minimum wage, at least for earnings inequalities. Regression results suggest indeed that both a national statutory minimum and, in countries with sectoral minima, higher collective bargaining coverage is significantly associated with lower levels of (overall and inter-industry) wage inequalities and a smaller fraction of workers paid below prevailing minima. Several robustness checks confirm these findings." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Garnero, Andrea, Stephan Kampelmann & François Rycx (2015): Sharp teeth or empty mouths? European institutional diversity and the sector-level minimum wage bite. In: BJIR, Jg. 53, H. 4, S. 760-788. DOI:10.1111/bjir.12104

Abstract

"The article explores the link between different institutional features of minimum wage systems and the minimum wage bite. We notably address the striking absence of studies on sectoral-level minima and exploit unique data covering 17 European countries and information from more than 1,100 collective bargaining agreements. Results provide evidence for a neglected trade-off: systems with bargained sectoral-level minima are associated with higher Kaitz indices than systems with statutory floors, but also with more individuals actually paid below prevailing minima. Higher collective bargaining coverage can, to some extent, reduce this trade-off between sharp teeth (high wage floors) and empty mouths (non-compliance/non-coverage)." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Giulietti, Corrado (2015): Do minimum wages induce immigration? The minimum wage affects international migration flows and the internal relocation of immigrants. (IZA world of labor 151), Bonn, 10 S. DOI:10.15185/izawol.151

Abstract

"An increase in the minimum wage in immigrant destination countries raises the earnings that low-skilled migrants could expect to attain if they were to migrate. While some studies for the US indicate that a higher minimum wage induces immigration, contrasting evidence shows that immigrants are less likely to move into areas with higher or more frequent increases in the minimum wage. These different findings seem to reflect different relocation decisions by immigrants who have lived in the US for several years, who are more likely to move in response to higher minimum wages, and by new immigrants, who are less likely to move." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Rumscheidt, Sabine (2015): Minimum wage regimes in the European Union. In: CESifo DICE report, Jg. 13, H. 2, S. 67-69.

Abstract

"Every EU member state has some form of minimum wage system in place. The different systems, however, vary regarding the levels, scope and the institutional setting of minimum wages (MW). The main distinction can be made between national statutory and sectoral regimes. National statutory regimes define a general wage floor, which is compulsory for all employees. Sectoral regimes have no general wage floor. Instead, multiple minimum wage levels are agreed by social partners in sector-based collective agreements, albeit with varying coverage of the workforce." (Text excerpt, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Rumscheidt, Sabine (2015): Mindestlohnsysteme in der Europäischen Union. In: Ifo-Schnelldienst, Jg. 68, H. 14, S. 56-58.

Abstract

In jedem Mitgliedstaat der Europäischen Union gibt es eine Form von Mindestlohn, die jeweiligen Mindestlohnsysteme unterscheiden sich jedoch beträchtlich in Bezug auf das Niveau, den Umfang und den institutionellen Rahmen der Mindestlöhne. Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über die unterschiedlichen Regelungen in den Ländern der EU.

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Seeliger, Martin (2015): Europäischer Mindestlohn als Arbeitnehmerinteresse? Probleme gewerkschaftlicher Positionsbildung. In: Aus Politik und Zeitgeschichte, Jg. 65, H. 4-5, S. 36-42.

Abstract

"Der Vorschlag einer gemeinsamen Lohnuntergrenze für die EU wirkt plausibel. Die Diskussionen unter den europäischen Gewerkschaften sind allerdings kontrovers. Heterogenität erschwert die Entwicklung einer gemeinsamen Position." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Abstract

"Minimum wages are common but controversial. Three out of four OECD countries use them, and supporting low-wage earners is widely seen as important for promoting inclusive growth. But views differ about whether such support is best provided through minimum wages, or closely related policies, such as government transfers. This policy brief considers three aspects that are central for a balanced assessment of policy choices: The cost of employing minimum-wage workers, their take-home pay, and the number of workers affected." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Arni, Patrick, Werner Eichhorst, Nico Pestel, Alexander Spermann & Klaus F. Zimmermann (2014): Der gesetzliche Mindestlohn in Deutschland. Einsichten und Handlungsempfehlungen aus der Evaluationsforschung. In: Schmollers Jahrbuch, Jg. 134, H. 2, S. 149-182.

Abstract

"Der gesetzliche Mindestlohn in Höhe von 8,50 Euro je Stunde wird zum 1. Januar 2015 in Deutschland eingeführt. Dieser Beitrag fasst die vorliegenden nationalen und internationalen Erfahrungen mit Mindestlöhnen zusammen. Dabei werden die Beschäftigungs- und Verteilungswirkungen sowie die fiskalischen Effekte mit Hilfe des IZA-Mikrosimulationsmodells abgeschätzt und mit Ergebnissen aus aktuellen Studien verglichen. Es zeigt sich, dass die Ergebnisse aus der Analyse von Branchenmindestlöhnen und aus Mikrosimulationen trotz aufgezeigter Problempotenziale keine abschließende Beurteilung erlauben. Deshalb plädieren die Autoren für eine systematische und unabhängige wissenschaftliche Begleitforschung und Evaluation des gesetzlichen Mindestlohns. Dies lässt Politik und Wählern eine faire Option für eine Kurskorrektur." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Arni, Patrick, Werner Eichhorst, Nico Pestel, Alexander Spermann & Klaus F. Zimmermann (2014): Kein Mindestlohn ohne unabhängige wissenschaftliche Evaluation. (IZA Standpunkte 65), Bonn, 28 S.

Abstract

"Die deutsche Bundesregierung plant die Einführung eines flächendeckenden Mindestlohns. Dieser Beitrag fasst die vorliegenden nationalen und internationalen Erfahrungen mit Mindestlöhnen zusammen. Er analysiert dabei die Konsequenzen für Beschäftigung und Einkommensverteilung und legt eine Abschätzung der zu erwartenden Wirkungen in Deutschland vor. Eine systematische und unabhängige wissenschaftliche Begleitforschung und Evaluation wird erforderlich sein, um mögliche dauerhafte Folgeschäden für den Arbeitsmarkt transparent zu machen. Dies lässt Politik und Wählern eine faire Option für eine Kurskorrektur." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Belman, Dale & Paul J. Wolfson (2014): What does the minimum wage do? Kalamazoo: Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, 470 S.

Abstract

"This book attempts to make sense of the research on the minimum wage that began in the early 1990s. The authors look at who is affected by the minimum wage, both directly and indirectly; which observable, measurable variables (e.g., wages, employment, school enrollment) the minimum wage influences; how long it takes for the variables to respond to the minimum wage and the size and desirability of the effect; why the minimum wage has the results it does (and not others); and the workers most likely to be affected by changes to the minimum wage." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Davis, Abigail, Donald Hirsch, Rie Iwanaga, Masami Iwata, Junko Shigekawa, Yuka Uzuki & Atsuhiro Yamada (2014): Comparing the minimum income standard in the UK and Japan. Methodology and outcome. In: Social policy and society, Jg. 13, H. 1, S. 89-101. DOI:10.1017/S147474641300033X

Abstract

"Minimum Income Standard (MIS) research involves an innovative methodology that combines consensual decisions made through discussion by members of the public, supported by input from experts. MIS addresses questions about income adequacy, and in particular, what is the income that people need in order to reach a minimum socially acceptable standard of living. The first MIS for Britain was published in the UK in 2008, and in 2010 researchers from Japan and the UK began to collaborate on developing a comparable Minimum Income Standard for Japan. This article discusses the differences and similarities between the UK and Japanese MIS. It looks at the challenges of applying the methodology in a very different setting and compares the results of the research in the UK and in Japan. Although there are notable differences in the lists of goods and services that comprise the budgets, there are also some striking similarities. This research suggests that the MIS methodology offers an approach that can be used in different countries to inform discussions on contemporary living standards and societal norms, and to enable international comparisons to be drawn." (Text excerpt, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Grimshaw, Damian, Gerhard Bosch & Jill Rubery (2014): Minimum wages and collective bargaining: what types of pay bargaining can foster positive pay equity outcomes? In: BJIR, Jg. 52, H. 3, S. 470-498. DOI:10.1111/bjir.12021

Abstract

"Using data from interviews and collective agreements in five European countries, this article analyses the relationship between collective bargaining and the minimum wage. In a context of changing minimum wage policy and competing government objectives, the findings illuminate how pay bargaining strategies of trade unions and employers shape the pay equity effects of minimum wage policy. Two general forms are identified: direct responses to a changing national minimum wage, and responses to the absence or weakness of a national minimum wage. The article explains how particular intersections of minimum wage policy and collective bargaining, together with country and sector contingencies, shape the form of pay bargaining and pay equity outcomes." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Schulten, Thorsten (2014): Mindestlohnregime in Europa ... und was Deutschland von ihnen lernen kann. (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. Studie), Bonn, 16 S.

Abstract

"- Ab dem 1. Januar 2015 soll in Deutschland ein allgemeiner gesetzlicher Mindestlohn gelten. Wie das neue deutsche Mindestlohnregime genau aussehen wird, muss jedoch erst im Gesetzgebungsverfahren definiert werden.
- In Deutschland würde ein Mindestlohn von 8,50 Euro noch unterhalb des kaufkraftbereinigten Mindestlohns in Großbritannien und damit am unteren Rand der 'Spitzengruppe' von sieben europäischen Ländern liegen.
- Die gesetzlichen Mindestlöhne in Europa liegen allesamt unterhalb der so genannten 'Niedriglohnschwelle'. In vielen EU-Staaten gehen die gesetzlichen Mindestlöhne nicht einmal über das Niveau von 'Armutslöhnen' hinaus. Deutschland weist bislang einen der größten Niedriglohnsektoren in Europa auf.
- Die in Deutschland bei Mindestlohngegnern beliebte 'Politisierungsthese', wonach Mindestlohnerhöhungen als Wahlgeschenke verteilt werden, lässt sich nicht belegen. Eher schon finden sich Anzeichen für eine 'Politisierung von rechts', bei der oft eher konservative Regierungen sich dadurch zu profilieren suchen, dass sie den Mindestlohn für einen längeren Zeitraum nicht mehr anpassen.
- Sollte es in Deutschland zu einem Anpassungsmechanismus kommen, der eher kleine Anpassungsschritte begünstigt, dann läuft das neue deutsche Mindestlohnregime Gefahr, am Ende nur relativ bescheidene strukturelle Wirkungen sicherstellen zu können." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Schulten, Thorsten (2014): WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2014 - stagnierende Mindestlöhne. In: WSI-Mitteilungen, Jg. 67, H. 2, S. 132-139. DOI:10.5771/0342-300X-2014-2-132

Abstract

"Der WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2014 gibt einen aktuellen Überblick über die gegenwärtige Mindestlohnpolitik in Europa und ausgewählten außereuropäischen Staaten. Unter Auswertung der WSI-Mindestlohndatenbank werden neueste Daten zur Höhe und Entwicklung gesetzlicher Mindestlöhne präsentiert. In vielen Ländern lässt sich bereits seit einigen Jahren eine eher stagnierende Mindestlohnentwicklung beobachten. Dieser Trend hat sich auch im Jahr 2013 fortgesetzt. Allerdings mehren sich mittlerweile die Stimmen, die für die nähere Zukunft eine deutlich kräftigere Mindestlohnerhöhung einfordern." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Zavodny, Madeline (2014): Who benefits from the minimum wage - natives or migrants? There is no evidence that increases in the minimum wage have hurt immigrants. (IZA world of labor 98), Bonn, 10 S. DOI:10.15185/izawol.98

Abstract

"According to economic theory, a minimum wage reduces the number of low-wage jobs and increases the number of available workers, allowing greater hiring selectivity. More competition for a smaller number of low-wage jobs will disadvantage immigrants if employers perceive them as less skilled than native-born workers - and vice versa. Studies indicate that a higher minimum wage does not hurt immigrants, but there is no consensus on whether immigrants benefit at the expense of natives. Studies also reach disparate conclusions on whether higher minimum wages attract or repel immigrants." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Furåker, Bengt & Kristina Loven Selden (2013): Trade union cooperation on statutory minimum wages? A study of European trade union positions. In: Transfer, Jg. 19, H. 4, S. 507-520. DOI:10.1177/1024258913501766

Abstract

"Legislation on minimum wages exists in most EU Member States, but European trade unions have very different views on it. Nordic unions are especially negative, whereas many other union organizations are strongly positive. The present article examines these differences, explores how they can be understood and discusses their possible consequences for transnational union cooperation on issues related to statutory minimum wages. It is primarily based on survey and interview data." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Garnero, Andrea, Stephan Kampelmann & François Rycx (2013): Sharp teeth or empty mouths? Revisiting the minimum wage bite with sectoral data. (IZA discussion paper 7351), Bonn, 36 S.

Abstract

"The paper explores the link between different institutional features of minimum wage systems and the minimum wage bite. We notably address the striking absence of studies on sectoral-level minima and exploit unique data covering 17 European countries and information from more than 1100 collective bargaining agreements. Results provide evidence for a neglected trade-off: systems with bargained sectoral-level minima are associated with higher Kaitz indices than systems with statutory floors, but also with more individuals actually paid below prevailing minima. Higher collective bargaining coverage can to some extent reduce this trade-off between sharp teeth (high wage floors) and empty mouths (noncompliance/noncoverage)." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Laporšek, Suzana (2013): Minimum wage effects on youth employment in the European Union. In: Applied Economics Letters, Jg. 20, H. 14, S. 1288-1292. DOI:10.1080/13504851.2013.799752

Abstract

"The purpose of this article is to estimate minimum wage effects on youth employment in the European Union (EU). The analysis employs a panel regression method with fixed effects and uses data for 18 EU member states with statutory minimum wage over the period 1996 to 2011. The analysis is restricted to teenage workers between 15 and 19 years of age and young workers between 20 and 24 years of age. The study finds a negative, statistically significant impact of minimum wage on youth employment, by which the disemployment effect appears to be stronger for teenage workers. The effect remains negative and statistically significant also when controlled for other labour market institutions. Taking into account empirical results, we can conclude that EU countries should be more cautious when setting up minimum wages for young workers, as disemployment effects may have been downplayed." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Rani, Uma, Patrick Belser, Martin Oelz & Setareh Ranjbar (2013): Minimum wage coverage and compliance in developing countries. In: International Labour Review, Jg. 152, H. 3/4, S. 381-410. DOI:10.1111/j.1564-913X.2013.00197.x

Abstract

"Using household and labour force survey data from 11 developing countries, the authors calculate rates of minimum wage compliance for formal/ informal employees covered by current legislation and assess the average 'depth' of violations. Though compliance is negatively related to the ratio of minimum to median wages, countries with a national minimum wage set at a meaningful level typically achieve higher compliance rates than countries with occupational or industry- specific minimum wage systems. However, better compliance - especially for women, ethnic groups, and unskilled and informal workers - also depends on contextualized yet comprehensive minimum wage policies combining union/employer involvement, awareness-raising and credible enforcement." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Schulten, Thorsten (2013): WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2013. Anhaltend schwache Mindestlohnentwicklung in Europa. In: WSI-Mitteilungen, Jg. 66, H. 2, S. 126-132. DOI:10.5771/0342-300X-2013-2-126

Abstract

"Der WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2013 gibt einen aktuellen Überblick über die gegenwärtige Mindestlohnpolitik in Europa und ausgewählten außereuropäischen Staaten. Unter Auswertung der WSI-Mindestlohndatenbank werden neueste Daten zur Höhe und Entwicklung gesetzlicher Mindestlöhne präsentiert. Im Jahr 2012 wurden die Mindestlöhne in vielen europäischen Ländern nur geringfügig angehoben oder sogar gänzlich eingefroren. In zahlreichen Ländern erlitten die Mindestlohnbezieher zum Teil deutliche Reallohnverluste. Betroffen sind insbesondere diejenigen Länder, die unter der Aufsicht der Europäischen Union und des Internationalem Währungsfonds stehen und die als Teil der ihnen auferlegten Austeritätsprogramme in der Regel eine äußerst restriktive (Mindest-)Lohnpolitik verfolgen müssen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Schuster, Thomas (2013): Mindestlohn. Beschäftigungsrisiken höher als behauptet. (IW policy paper 2013,19), Köln, 42 S.

Abstract

"Das Mindestlohn-Kompendium trägt alle wichtigen Informationen zusammen, die in der Mindestlohndebatte interessant sind. Zuerst werden die verschiedenen Arten von Mindestlöhnen dargestellt. Dann werden die Mindestlohnregelungen in Europa präsentiert. Neben den monatlichen Mindestlöhnen und den relativen Beträgen im Vergleich zum Durchschnittslohn gibt es auch eine Übersicht über die Mindeststundenlöhne. Anschließend werden alle gesetzlichen Mindestlohnregelungen in Deutschland besprochen. Die theoretische Analyse des Mindestlohns ergibt, dass er sich nur dann negativ auf den Arbeitsmarkt auswirkt, wenn er höher als der Gleichgewichtslohn ist. Empirische Analysen über den Mindestlohn in Deutschland ergeben, dass sich der Mindestlohn im ostdeutschen Bauhauptgewerbe und im gesamtdeutschen Dachdeckerhandwerk negativ auf die Beschäftigung ausgewirkt hat. Internationale Studien ergeben, dass in 56 Prozent der Studien der Mindestlohn einen negativen Effekt auf den Arbeitsmarkt hat. In nur 9 Prozent der Studien ist eine positive Wirkung festzustellen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Addison, John T. & Orgul Demet Ozturk (2012): Minimum wages, labor market institutions, and female employment. A cross-country analysis. In: ILR review, Jg. 65, H. 4, S. 779-809. DOI:10.1177/001979391206500402

Abstract

"The authors investigate the employment consequences of minimum wage regulation for women in 16 OECD countries during 1970 to 2008. The treatment follows that of Neumark and Wascher's (2004) cross-country study using panel methods to estimate minimum wage effects among teenagers and young adults, although they focus on prime-age females -- a group often neglected in the minimum wage literature. Moreover, their analysis covers a longer time interval and deploys time-varying policy and institutional regressors. They report average effects consistent with minimum wages causing material employment losses among the target group and, less conclusively, elevated joblessness as well. Their cross-country findings agree with Neumark and Wascher on the role of some individual labor market institutions and policies, but the authors do not observe the same patterns in the institutional data: specifically, prime-age females do not exhibit stronger employment losses in countries with the least regulated markets." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Belser, Patrick & Kristen Sobeck (2012): At what level should countries set their minimum wages? In: Labour education, Jg. 4, H. 1, S. 105-127.

Abstract

"This paper has reviewed some fundamental elements of minimum wage setting and proposed a discussion on some of the indicators which can be used to set a first-time minimum wage or to evaluate whether an existing legal floor is set at the 'right' level. The use of such indicators is a practical way to choose a minimum wage rate that brings real benefits to low-paid workers, while at the same time remaining consistent with the objectives of a competitive economy. Once these indicators are calculated, it is of course up to the governments, and the social partners, to define their respective positions with a view to convincing a majority of those who hold the final decision-making power. But by using these indicators, decision-makers at least have some basic information" (Text excerpt, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Boeri, Tito (2012): Setting the minimum wage. In: Labour economics, Jg. 19, H. 3, S. 281-290. DOI:10.1016/j.labeco.2012.01.001

Abstract

"The process leading to the setting of the minimum wage so far has been overlooked by economists. There are two common ways of setting national minimum wages: they are either government legislated or the byproduct of collective bargaining agreements, which are extended erga omnes to all workers. We develop a simple model relating the level of the minimum wage to the setting regime. Next, we exploit a new data set on minimum wages in 68 countries having a statutory national minimum level of pay in the period 1981-2005. We find that a Government legislated minimum wage is lower than a wage floor set within collective agreements. This effect survives to several robustness checks and can be interpreted as a causal effect of the setting regime on the level of the minimum wage." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Bosch, Gerhard & Claudia Weinkopf (2012): Mindestlöhne, Tariflöhne und Lohnungleichheit. In: R. Bispinck, G. Bosch, K. Hofemann & G. Naegele (Hrsg.) (2012): Sozialpolitik und Sozialstaat : Festschrift für Gerhard Bäcker, S. 221-238. DOI:10.1007/978-3-531-19024-2_14

Abstract

"Seit Mitte der 1990er Jahre ist in Deutschland der Anteil der gering Bezahlten an allen Beschäftigten von einstmals 13 bis 14 Prozent auf 21,4 Prozent im Jahre 2009 angestiegen. Bemerkenswert ist dabei nicht allein die im europaweiten Vergleich schnelle Zunahme auf ein überdurchschnittliches Niveau, sondern auch die starke Spreizung der Löhne innerhalb des Niedriglohnsektors. In Deutschland erhielten im Jahr 2008 gut 3,4 Millionen Beschäftigte einen Stundenlohn unter sieben Euro, was in den westlichen Nachbarländern aufgrund der dortigen Mindestlöhne nicht möglich wäre (Kalina/Weinkopf 2010, S. 209)." (Textauszug, IAB-Doku)

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Dolton, Peter & Chiara Rosazza-Bondibene (2012): The international experience of minimum wages in an economic downturn. In: Economic policy, Jg. 27, H. 69, S. 99-142. DOI:10.1111/j.1468-0327.2011.00278.x

Abstract

"What should governments do with the level of the minimum wage (MW) in times of recession? In an economic downturn when most workers face falling real wages is it appropriate to let the MW fall or are the positive effects of the MW on inequality enough to justify its uprating - and if so what might be the consequences on a country's employment level? This paper reports new estimates of the employment effects of the MW by focusing on the recessionary experiences across countries. Using international data we exploit: cross-national variation in the level and timing of the MW uprating and the exact timing of the recessionary experiences in different countries with a panel data set comprising 33 OECD over the period 1971 - 2009. Our panel data allow us to differentiate the effect of MWs on employment in periods of economic downturn as well as periods of economic growth. We also account for institutional and other policy related differences that might have an impact on employment other than the MW. We find that the answer depends on whether one considers adults or young people, and to some extent, on what measure of the MW is considered. The answer is also somewhat sensitive to whether one considers that the MW level is a choice option of the government which is inextricably interrelated to the determination of employment - that is, the extent to which the MW is endogenous. Using a 'political complexion of the government' instrumental variable (IV) we find that the MW only has a negative impact on youth employment. This leaves each government with the dilemma of raising the MW and reducing inequality or increasing the MW and accepting that this will reduce employment levels amongst young people and those on the margins of work." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Dolton, Peter (2012): The administration and impact of a national minimum wage. Lessons for Germany. In: Journal for labour market research, Jg. 45, H. 3/4, S. 201-208., 2011-12-31. DOI:10.1007/s12651-012-0121-y

Abstract

"The problem of trying to estimate what the effect of the minimum wage will have on employment (or any other outcome) has puzzled economists for over 150 years. Some factions in Germany have recently contemplated supplementing their extensive system of sector and branch minimum wages with a National Minimum Wage (NMW). Perhaps some of the most valuable lessons for Germany can be drawn from the UK which introduced such a NMW as recently as 1999. This article provides an overview of recent evidence from the UK and other countries on the effects of the NMW and lessons to be drawn from instituting such a policy." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Lee, Sangheon (2012): "Varieties of minimum wage system" through the dubious lens of indicator-based rankings. In: International Labour Review, Jg. 151, H. 3, S. 261-275. DOI:10.1111/j.1564-913X.2012.00148.x

Abstract

"Growing interest in the impact of labour regulations on labour market performance has prompted attempts to quantify labour standards for cross-country comparison. While recognizing the contribution of such quantification to empirical research, this article takes issue with indicators that purport to rank countries' regulatory regimes. With reference to the minimum wage component of the World Bank's Doing Business indicators, the author identifies major limitations of this device-theoretical bias, measurement error, disregard of institutional particulars and failure to account for regulatory indeterminacy. His examination of minimum wage systems concludes with an argument against the grounding of policy decisions on indicator-based rankings." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Marx, Ive, Sarah Marchal & Brian Nolan (2012): Mind the gap: Net incomes of minimum wage workers in the EU and the US. (European Trade Union Institute. Working paper 2012,05), Brüssel, 34 S.

Abstract

"This paper focuses on the role of minimum wages, tax and benefit policies in protecting workers against financial poverty, covering 21 European countries with a national minimum wage and three US States (New Jersey, Nebraska and Texas). It is shown that only for single persons and only in a number of countries, net income packages at minimum wage level reach or exceed the EU's at-risk-of poverty threshold, set at 60 per cent of median equivalent household income in each country. For lone parents and sole breadwinners with a partner and children to support, net income packages at minimum wage are below this threshold almost everywhere, usually by a wide margin. This is the case despite shifts over the past decade towards tax relief and additional income support provisions for low-paid workers. We argue that there appear to be limits to what minimum wage policies alone can achieve in the fight against in-work poverty. The route of raising minimum wages to eliminate poverty among workers solely reliant on it seems to be inherently constrained, especially in countries where the distance between minimum and average wage levels is already comparatively small and where relative poverty thresholds are mostly a function of the dual-earner living standards. In order to fight in-work poverty new policy routes need to be explored. The paper offers a brief discussion of possible alternatives and cautions against 'one size fits all' policy solutions." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Marx, Ive, Sarah Marchal & Brian Nolan (2012): Mind the gap: Net incomes of minimum wage workers in the EU and the US. (IZA discussion paper 6510), Bonn, 25 S.

Abstract

"This paper focuses on the role of minimum wages, tax and benefit policies in protecting workers against financial poverty, covering 21 European countries with a national minimum wage and three US States (New Jersey, Nebraska and Texas). It is shown that only for single persons and only in a number of countries, net income packages at minimum wage level reach or exceed the EU's at-risk-of poverty threshold, set at 60 per cent of median equivalent household income in each country. For lone parents and sole breadwinners with a partner and children to support, net income packages at minimum wage are below this threshold almost everywhere, usually by a wide margin. This is the case despite shifts over the past decade towards tax relief and additional income support provisions for low-paid workers. We argue that there appear to be limits to what minimum wage policies alone can achieve in the fight against in-work poverty. The route of raising minimum wages to eliminate poverty among workers solely reliant on it seems to be inherently constrained, especially in countries where the distance between minimum and average wage levels is already comparatively small and where relative poverty thresholds are mostly a function of the dual-earner living standards. In order to fight in-work poverty new policy routes need to be explored. The paper offers a brief discussion of possible alternatives and cautions against 'one size fits all' policy solutions." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Rycx, François & Stephan Kampelmann (2012): Who earns minimum wages in Europe? New evidence based on household surveys. (Report / European Trade Union Institute 124), Brüssel, 64 S.

Abstract

"Minimum wages continue to stir controversial policy debates. This study contributes to a better understanding of minimum wages by providing a solid empirical assessment of minimum wage policies and their socio-economic consequences for a range of European countries. In addition to qualitative differences between minimum wage systems, the report documents international variations in the (absolute and relative) levels of minimum wages. An important contribution of the study is to provide a statistical panorama of the population of minimum wage earners." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Schulten, Thorsten (2012): WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2012. Schwache Mindestlohnentwicklung unter staatlicher Austeritätspolitik. In: WSI-Mitteilungen, Jg. 65, H. 2, S. 124-130. DOI:10.5771/0342-300X-2012-2-124

Abstract

"Der WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2012 gibt einen aktuellen Überblick über die gegenwärtige Mindestlohnpolitik in Europa und ausgewählten außereuropäischen Staaten. Unter Auswertung der WSI-Mindestlohndatenbank werden neueste Daten zur Höhe und Entwicklung gesetzlicher Mindestlöhne präsentiert. Im Jahr 2011 wurden die Mindestlöhne in der Regel nur geringfügig angehoben oder sogar gänzlich eingefroren. In den meisten europäischen Ländern erlitten die Mindestlohnbezieher zum Teil deutliche Reallohnverluste. Im Rahmen des aktuellen Krisenmanagements in der Europäischen Union wurde die Mindestlohnpolitik zum Bestandteil einer allgemeinen Austeritätspolitik." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Schulten, Thorsten (2012): European minimum wage policy: A concept for wage-led growth and fair wages in Europe. In: Labour education, Jg. 4, H. 1, S. 85-103.

Abstract

"To sum up, a European minimum wage policy could make a major contribution for the development of a new more sustainable, wage-led growth model in Europe. At the same time it would give a concrete expression for the idea of 'social Europe' and would bring new legitimacy to the European integration process. However, the political enforcement of a European minimum wage policy requires a European social movement which is able to push this issue at the European policy agenda. In this respect it seems that the European trade unions and other social forces still have some way to go." (Text excerpt, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Bianchi, Doris, Stefan Giger, Daniel Lampart, Daniele Lenzin, Alessandro Pelizzari, Andreas Rieger & Georges Tissot (2011): Mindestlohn: Situation und Handlungsbedarf. Bericht der SGB-Expertengruppe Mindestlohn. Zürich: Editions à la carte, 127 S.

Abstract

"Seit Mitte der Neunzigerjahre erleben Mindestlöhne eine neue Blüte. England führt beispielweise einen Mindestlohn ein, viele Länder erhöhen ihren. Und in der Schweiz führen die Gewerkschaften ihre mehrjährige Kampagne 'Keine Löhne unter 3000 Franken'. Damit gelingt es, die Einkommenssituation von vielen Tausend Personen zu verbessern. Gleichzeitig bewertet die ökonomische Forschung die Mindestlöhne neu - vor allem was deren Auswirkungen auf Beschäftigung und Arbeitslosigkeit betrifft. Mindestlöhne werden mehr und mehr als wirksames Mittel gegen Lohnunterbietung empfohlen sowie für die Verbesserung der Lohnsituation. Diese Studie analysiert gut ein Jahrzehnt nach der Wiederentdeckung der Mindestlöhne die Situation und den Handlungsbedarf im Mindestlohn- und Tieflohnbereich in der Schweiz. Untersucht wird aber auch die Lage in Europa." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Bosch, Gerhard, Claudia Weinkopf & Georg Worthmann (2011): Die Fragilität des Tarifsystems. Einhaltung von Entgeltstandards und Mindestlöhnen am Beispiel des Bauhauptgewerbes. (Forschung aus der Hans-Böckler-Stiftung 128), Berlin: Edition Sigma, 242 S.

Abstract

"Das Tarifsystem in Deutschland wird zunehmend fragiler. Die Tarifbindung ist zurückgegangen und tarifliche Öffnungs- und Härteklauseln, die auf betrieblicher Ebene vorübergehende Tarifunterschreitungen zulassen, haben an Bedeutung gewonnen. Am Beispiel des Bauhauptgewerbes untersuchen die Verfasser, inwiefern Mindest- und Tariflöhne in der Praxis eingehalten werden und wie sich dies kontrollieren lässt. Die Branche ist besonders interessant, weil sie eine überdurchschnittlich hohe Tarifbindung aufweist und hier bereits seit 1996 tarifliche Mindestlöhne gelten, die über das Arbeitnehmer-Entsendegesetz für allgemeinverbindlich erklärt worden sind. Die Studie, die auch auf bauspezifische Regelungen in Frankreich, Großbritannien und den Niederlanden eingeht sowie Erfahrungen mit Mindestlöhnen in zwei weiteren Branchen in Deutschland einbezieht, schließt nicht nur eine Forschungslücke im Bereich der Lohnpolitik und der industriellen Beziehungen. Vielmehr sind die Ergebnisse auch von hohem praktischen Wert für Tarifpartner und Politik, deren Diskurse und Entscheidungen in künftigen Verhandlungen über Mindestlöhne und Tarifverträge durch eine gemeinsame empirische Basis versachlicht werden können." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Körner, Marita (2011): Mindestlohnanforderungen im internationalen Arbeitsrecht. In: Neue Zeitschrift für Arbeitsrecht, Jg. 28, H. 8, S. 425-430.

Abstract

"Die Forderungen nach einem gesetzlichen (einheitlichen) Mindestlohn sind nicht zuletzt auch durch den Deutschen Juristentag im Jahr 2010 vehementer geworden. Wie sieht nun das Spektrum des Niedriglohnsektors international, vor allem 'europäisch' aus und welche Schlussfolgerungen sind daraus für den nationalen Gesetzgeber zu ziehen? All diesen Fragen geht die Verfasserin in ihrem Beitrag nach." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Schulten, Thorsten (2011): WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2011. Mindestlöhne unter Krisendruck. In: WSI-Mitteilungen, Jg. 64, H. 3, S. 131-137. DOI:10.5771/0342-300X-2011-3-131

Abstract

"Der WSI-Mindestlohnbericht 2011 gibt einen Überblick über die derzeitige Mindestlohnpolitik in Europa sowie in ausgewählten außereuropäischen Staaten. Unter Auswertung der WSI-Mindestlohndatenbank werden aktuelle Daten zur Höhe und Entwicklung gesetzlicher Mindestlöhne präsentiert. Die Mindestlohnpolitik des Jahres 2010 stand nach wie vor unter dem Vorzeichen der Krise. Zwar kam es in der Mehrzahl der Länder zu einer nominalen Erhöhung der Mindestlohnsätze, diese fiel jedoch zumeist eher moderat aus und blieb in einigen Fällen sogar hinter der Preisentwicklung zurück. Die eher bescheidene Mindestlohnbilanz des Jahres 2010 ist Ausdruck eines wachsenden politischen Drucks von Arbeitgebern und Regierungen, die darauf abzielen, das bestehende Mindestlohnniveau möglichst gering zu halten." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Tonin, Mirco (2011): Underreporting of earnings and the minimum wage spike. (IZA discussion paper 5942), Bonn, 16 S.

Abstract

"This paper documents a positive correlation within European labour markets between the proportion of full-time employees with earnings on the minimum wage and the extent of underreporting of earnings in the economy. Using a simple model of a competitive labour market, I show how this correlation can emerge as a result of the common dependence of both quantities on the strength of enforcement of fiscal regulation. This suggests that a high spike in the wage distribution at the minimum wage level is, in some contexts, an issue of fiscal enforcement, more than a labour market issue." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))