Minimum wage explosion: 6.6 million employees benefit from 2026!

Minimum wage explosion: 6.6 million employees benefit from 2026!

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Deutschland - In Germany, employees are faced with a significant turn, because the minimum lighter increase at EUR 13.90 per hour will become a reality from January 1, 2026. According to estimates by the Federal Statistical Office, this measure will benefit up to 6.6 million people, which corresponds to around 17% of the employment relationships. Especially affected industries are the hospitality and agriculture, in which the proportion of affected jobs is 56% or 43%. Zeit.de reports that….

The increases in earnings are also not to be neglected. Those concerned can expect an increase of up to 6%, which could add up to around 400 million euros. However, this information takes no further wage increases that are possible after April 2024. It remains to be seen how the number of employees and structures will develop in the future, since the values mentioned are considered upper limits. Destatis emphasizes that ....

social aspects and regional differences

An interesting aspect is the different concern of women and men. While 20% of the jobs practiced by women are affected by the increase, it is only 14% for men. A regional analysis also shows that around 20% of the employment relationships in East Germany fall below the new minimum wages, while this is 16% in West Germany. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has the highest proportion of affected employment relationships with 22%, while Hamburg is the lowest at 14%. [Boeckler surprised with the numbers to…] (https://www.boeckler.de/de/auf-einen-blick-17945-12-Euro-Münflohn-studien- und-einschetzungen-41626.htm).

The discussion about the minimum wage is not new. It was first introduced on January 1, 2015 with a set of 8.50 euros. It is interesting that at that time between 4.8 and 5.4 million employees received less than the minimum wage, which led to serious concerns about loss of job. However, numerous studies have now proven that the effects on the labor market are harmless and that even new jobs subject to social security contributions were created in the industries concerned.

outlook on the future of the minimum wage

The minimum wage commission has already recommended the next number of wages for January 1, 2027 to 14.60 euros. The experts assume up to 8.3 million affected jobs, which corresponds to about 21% of the employment relationships. Another increase could bring up to 430 million euros in additional earnings increases. The country therefore insists on further promoting social justice - and this is also reflected in the DGB's demands, which strives for faster raising the minimum wage. Zeit.de underlines the need for adaptation….

It remains exciting to see which political decisions will be made in the coming time and how the next steps of the minimum wage commission are designed. However, it is clear that a good hand is required in the catering trade and other affected industries to make future development positively.