The Greens and the Left demand: Increase the minimum wage to 15 euros – act now!

The Greens and the Left demand: Increase the minimum wage to 15 euros – act now!

A hot topic in the political debate: The Green and Left factions in the German Bundestag are pushing for an increase in the minimum wage to 15 euros. Today, on June 6, 2025, relevant proposals will be discussed in plenary session to enable workers to live a life without poverty. Green party leader Katharina Dröge recently warned that the current rate of 12.82 euros is not enough to prevent poverty in old age. This is exactly where the core of the discussion lies, because the initiative is intended to ensure that the minimum wage is above the poverty line in the future and thus offers real protection for people who have to live from their work. fnp.de reports.

What does the SPD say about this? The party also called for an increase during the election campaign, but the issue remains unclear in the coalition agreement. The minimum wage repeatedly became a point of contention, especially under the last black-red government. While the Union emphasizes the independence of the Minimum Wage Commission, the desire for legal intervention is evident in the ranks of the SPD. This commission, made up of representatives of employees and employers, should intensively address the question of how the future minimum wage can be based on collective bargaining trends.

The next step: strengthening the minimum wage

Another aspect is that the minimum wage increase is not only based on collective bargaining trends, but also on a target of 60 percent of the median wage for full-time employees. According to a study, the minimum wage could rise to up to 15.48 euros by 2027. This step is necessary not only to reach international standards but also to improve the quality of life of lower wage earners. In the past, Germany often fell short of this reference value. The next decision on the minimum wage increase is currently expected by the end of June 2025, although there is an urgent need for action to do justice to this development. boeckler.de provides information about this.

In the context of the low-wage sector, it can be seen that the proportion of employees in the lower income range has fallen in recent years. According to the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), one in six employees worked in the low-wage sector in 2022 - a decline compared to over 23 percent around 15 years ago. This development is primarily attributed to the introduction of the statutory minimum wage in 2015 and its increases. However, there are voices calling for faster adaptation. tagesschau.de also points out the advantages of the minimum wage.

A look into the future

The rising cost of living and inflation are also a big issue. It is recommended that unions negotiate wage agreements above the rate of price increases in the future in order to secure the purchasing power of employees. The influence of inflation on the financial situation of households should not be underestimated. At the international level, it is also clear that Germany is in the middle range in terms of the share of the minimum wage in the median wage.

The debate about the minimum wage is far from over. It remains to be hoped that the current political efforts will finally set an example that will make a real difference for many people - after all, work should be worth it.