Workers’ Win: ECJ Confirms the Core of the Minimum Wage Directive

The PES welcomes today's decision of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on the validity of the core of the EU Directive on adequate minimum wages (2022/2041), adopted in 2022. With the Directive setting out to improve the situation of low-paid workers across Europe, this is a clear commitment to workers rights, their enforcement and collective bargaining across Europe.

The Minimum Wage Directive was brought about by our political family, to support fair wages and promote collective bargaining across the EU. The Directive has already benefited millions of workers, without challenging national wage-setting systems. Several governments have already used it to increase their national minimum wages, even ahead of its adoption and full transposition. Building on this great achievement, European socialists and social democrats are convinced that the Court decision will boost the ongoing implementation process. The PES family stands ready to continue supporting member states in implementing the Minimum Wage Directive.

Reacting to the Court decision, PES Secretary General, Giacomo Filibeck, said:

"Our political family has always fought on the side of workers and their rights. Everyone deserves to be paid fairly. The Minimum Wage Directive was a great positive step.

The decision by the Court confirms the legal basis of the Directive. We see that as a huge success for workers and collective bargaining across Europe. There can be no backtracking on fair working conditions, and workers must not bear the brunt of legal constraints. At all levels of government, at both local and European, we will continue taking steps to ensure fair working conditions and workers' rights.

We now call upon member states to continue fully implementing the Minimum Wage Directive. Let's enhance the steps already taken and the achievements already made."

At the same time, the PES acknowledges the Court's decision to annul the provision of the Directive on the criteria of setting and updating such wages, and the rule stipulating that the use of an automatic indexation mechanism for statutory minimum wages cannot lead to a decrease in those wages. The PES family underlines that the EU must be adequately equipped to effectively deliver on its goal of social progress as enshrined in the EU Treaties.

Today's ruling confirming the validity of the EU Minimum Wage Directive of the Court of Justice is an insurance for millions of European workers that their rights for fair wages are protected and a firm legal ground for the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and its affiliates to claim for better wages in the EU.