FedEE review of minimum wage rates

Many countries in Europe operate statutory or collectively determined minimum wage rates, ranging from just 65 euros per month in the Russian Federation to 1,570 euros per month in Luxembourg. In all but a handful of countries, these rates provide a standard of living that is close to (or even below) subsistence levels. Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy and Sweden do not operate national minimum rates, but nevertheless have minimum rates set through sectoral collective agreements that jointly cover a high proportion of the working population.

The International Labour Organisation establishes minimum rates for able seamen. This is set at $530 US per month (2008) and will rise to $545 US per month in 2009.

NOTES:
[1] Where official rates are expressed by the hour or week, they have been converted to monthly rates on the basis of a 40-hour week and 52-week year. Minimum wage figures are gross (pre-tax) rates and exclude any 13th or 14th month payments that may be due under national legislation, collective agreements, custom or practice.
[2] Austria: applies to certain industry sectors. Applicable to all sectors from 01.01.2009. Employees are entitled to 14 mothly payments each year.
[3] Luxembourg: unskilled workers only.
[4] Romania: based on 170 hours per month.
[5] Greece, Portugal, Spain: white-collar workers only. Workers normally entitled to 14 monthly payments per year.
[6] France: based on statutory 35-hour week.
[7] Cyprus: applicable to certain groups in non-unionised sectors.
[8] Croatia: there has been no statutory minimum wage since 1996, but there is a 'lowest wage' for full-time work.
[9] Greece: Different rates apply to blue and white collar workers and vary by length of service and marital status.
[10] Hungary: the minimum wage is 20% higher than the basic national minimum for those with secondary or vocational education but under two years' experience, and 25% higher for those with at least two years' experience or older than 50 years of age. Employees with university-level education are entitled to a minimum wage that is 60% higher than the basic national minimum.
[11] Malta: Higher wage rates are set by order in the following sectors: agriculture, beverages, domestic work, clay and glass work products, food manufacturing, hire cars and private buses, hospitals and buses, jewellery and watches, leather goods and shoes, papers, plastic, chemicals and petroleum, private security services, professional offices, public transport, sextons and custodians, textiles, tobacco manufacture, transport equipment, metal, woodworks and private cleaning services.
[12] Czech Republic: Rates may not include travel allowances, on-call payments and severance compensation.

© FedEE Services Ltd 2008
Last updated: 23nd July 2008

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