Chemnitz.
The minimum wage rises in two steps from now 12.82 to 2027 to 14.60 euros. But who actually benefits from this in Saxony is still worthwhile with the low wage differences, they are still training, are destroyed by the increase and now threatens noise in the government coalition? The “Free Press” answers the most important questions.
Who specifically benefits from the increase in Saxony?
Cleaning staff, taxi drivers, housekeepers, restaurant experts, kitchen aids, service staff in the catering, petrol station employees, bakery sellers, hairdressers-according to the Saxon employment agency, they often only receive the minimum wage and will now earn more with the increase. According to the union, this affects more than 300,000 employees in the Free State.
There are 40 cents between the 15-euro claim of the SPD and the result of the minimum wage commission. Why?
The determination of the minimum wage commission follows clear criteria: it was checked how high the minimum wage must be for “adequate minimum protection” of the employees and for “fair and functioning competitive conditions” – and that without employment, according to the commission. Because Germany threatens the third year of recession in a row.
How was the amount determined exactly?
The development of the wages and the median wages were included. This is exactly the amount in which half of the employees more and the other earns less. According to EU requirements, the minimum wage should be 60 percent of this median wage. This is the official threshold threshold. Minimum wage commission chief Christiane Schönefeld: “Only with forecasts can you get a value of 15 euros 2026.” But that is not the decisive criterion.
Is a noise to be expected in the government coalition now?
Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) does not assume – although the employee wing of the SPD insists to 15 euros and demands that the legislator intervene. Federal Minister of Labor Bärbel Bas (SPD) has already announced an implementation of the commission recommendation by regulation. In Saxony, the government is disagree. Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) criticizes the increase. Economic Minister Dirk Panter (SPD), on the other hand, sees “the necessary proportion of proportions”.
The institute of German economy warns: after years with a weakening economy, increasing the minimum wage could make even more people unemployed.
In fact, between May 2022 and May 2025, the number of unemployed nationwide increased by almost 660,000, which is an increase of 29 percent to over 2.9 million. This also affects the group of helpers. According to the employment agency, around 241,000 of the 1.656 million employees subject to social security contributions work as helpers.
Does the economic crisis hit low -qualified ones?
Of the 147,000 unemployed in Saxony, around 60,000 have no vocational training. “In addition, one also takes into account the people who only want to or can work as helpers because they are too long ago and knowledge is out of date, the proportion of unemployed people who can be conveyed in the helper area is 53 percent,” says agency spokesman Frank Vollgold. The increase in unemployed helpers by around 10,000 in the past four years is also due to the influx of refugees. “But the truth also includes that helpers become unemployed faster than urgently needed specialists – especially in economically insecure times,” said Vollgold. “Employers often keep specialists in the company for as long as possible.”
Is it still worthwhile with a minimum wage at EUR 14.0 due to the low wage gap?
“Education is worthwhile,” says Vollgold. “Specialists with a professional qualification and academics are much less commonly affected by unemployment than people without a professional degree.” Accordingly, around 2024 was unemployed about one in five helpers in Saxony. It was only around twenty -five with the specialists, with the specialists it was only 2.9 and 2.7 percent among experts. The companies are currently primarily looking for specialists: Of the free jobs registered with Saxon employment agencies, 85 percent for specialists are currently registered for specialists.
How do unions and employers rate the new minimum wage?
DGB board member and negotiator Stefan Körzell speaks of a “achieved result” and recalls that some employers would have preferred to do without an increase. After all, the union side enforced a total of 13.9 percent. Körzell’s counterpart The employer, Steffen Kampeter, says: “The cooperation between employers and unions works, even if it requires painful compromises for both sides.” This is “a signal against paternalism and interference” of politics in the minimum wage finding.
What about prices, for example in hairdressing salons and in rolls?
Overall, Körzell also admits that the minimum wage can affect prices. But: “We don’t see the risk of a wage price spiral.” Kampeter warns of long-term wage price effects. “The current increase alone is difficult for many companies to manage,” says the central association of the German bakery trade. The Chemnitz Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) also speaks of a “effort”. “In particular, smaller companies, suppliers and consumer -related industries – such as gastronomy and trade – are still heavily burdened with increasing wage costs,” said IHK boss Christoph Neuberg. (Juerg/dpa)
