The implications of the German Minimum Wage Act on Czech companies
26.1.2015
Question for written answer P-001035-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Martina Dlabajová (ALDE) , Dita Charanzová (ALDE) , Petr Ježek (ALDE) , Pavel Telička (ALDE)
On 1 January 2015 the Minimum Wage Act came into force in Germany. The new law requires employers based in Germany or abroad, including those in the Czech Republic, to pay workers employed in Germany EUR 8.50 per hour.
Any Member State may set a minimum wage; however, the relevant legislation should be compatible with EU legislation, i.e. the Treaties and secondary legislation.
The act affects Czech haulers passing through German roads. The transport companies are also obliged to inform the German customs authorities ahead of the transport operation. The requested details must be provided via fax in German, which leads to unnecessary administration.
The German Ministry of Labour has still not replied to the questions raised by the Czech authorities on the application of this act.
Can the Commission clarify:
- 1.whether it considers the act to be in conformity with the principles and provisions of EC law?
- 2.whether it has already started a dialogue with the German authorities to investigate the implications of the act on the operations or undertakings by the Czech Republic in Germany?
- 3.what actions it is prepared to take to maintain economic freedoms in the EU, including those which enable Czech companies and workers to freely operate within the EU, including in Germany?