Atidje Aliyeva - Says: EC presented the long-awaited proposal for minimum wages

Atidje Aliyeva - Says: The EC presented the long-awaited proposal for adequate minimum wages in the EU

The MEP from the Movement for Rights and Freedoms/Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament - Atige Aliyeva - Veli participated in a hearing within the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs in the EP of the Commissioner responsible for jobs and social rights, Nicola Schmitt in connection with the Commission's proposal for an EU Directive on adequate minimum wages in the EU presented yesterday.

„Late yesterday afternoon, the Commission presented the long-awaited and hotly debated proposal for an EU directive ensuring that workers in the Union are protected by adequate minimum wages to guarantee them a decent life wherever they work and live. It aims to strengthen the social market economy in the EU and eradicate the "working poor" phenomenon, and today in the Committee on Employment and Social Policies, we had the opportunity to debate it with Commissioner Schmitt, explained Atige Aliyeva-Veli.

„It is clear that, bearing in mind the economic and social differences between the Member States, we cannot talk about a single European minimum wage. What the Commission wants to achieve is to improve the minimum wage in countries where there is already a statutory minimum wage and to extend the scope of collective agreements. Strengthening the role of social partners is also part of this priority. This should be done taking into account the traditions of the countries and their levels of economic development.“

According to the text presented, Member States with a national legal framework setting a minimum wage are required to set clear and stable criteria for determining the wage level. The text of the proposal for a directive does not mention a specific formula for calculating wage levels. However, the Commission takes into account the existence of indicators often used internationally, such as 60% of the median wage and 50% of the national average gross wage, which may help to assess the adequacy of minimum wages in relation to gross wage levels. However, these indicators will not be mandatory for the Member States according to the presented draft directive.

„The proposal is now to be subject to negotiations in the European Parliament and in the Council, and the opinions we are receiving at the moment are divergent. As Commissioner Schmidt himself pointed out, while some believe that the proposal for a directive is not ambitious enough, others argue that the Commission does not even have competences in this area - it is clear that the negotiations will not be easy“.

„For me, it is of the utmost importance to achieve a balanced approach that will be in the interest of both workers and employers," said Aliyeva-Veli.

She added that it is fundamental to achieve rapid, sustainable and inclusive economic recovery and development. "I believe that all workers should be fairly compensated for their work, but the minimum wage is not a panacea. Ensuring an adequate minimum wage must be part of a comprehensive approach to poverty eradication. We need stabilization of the economy, a well-functioning single market, a favorable environment for the development of SMEs, effective protection of workers' rights, more investment in rural areas, guaranteeing access to quality social services. It is also important to remove all existing barriers to worker mobility and to ensure the portability of social rights. This will be beneficial for everyone - both for workers and businesses," added the Bulgarian MEP.

Already at the beginning of her mandate, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stated her intention to present a legal instrument to ensure that workers in the Union receive fair minimum wages, taking into account that the right to adequate minimum wages is enshrined in the European Pillar of social rights, the creation of which was announced in 2017. The commitment to legal regulation of fair minimum wages was reiterated by the President of the EC in the first State of the Union speech on 16 September this year, and on 28.10.2020, Commissioner Nicola Schmidt presented the proposal for a Directive in this direction.