Overview

• Currently set at €12.41, the minimum wage is determined by an independent commission of employers, employees, and academics.
• Scholz's proposal would bypass the commission, aligning minimum wage hikes with the broader rise in wages, which have surged recently.
• The proposal has faced opposition from the FDP, which argues against politicizing the minimum wage and calls for more respect for performance.
• Scholz has previously advocated for a gradual increase of the minimum wage to €15, a position supported by the Greens and trade unions.
• The Chancellor highlighted that German workers logged a record 55 billion hours last year, emphasizing the nation's strong work ethic.