sv flag go to the original language article
This article has been translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The news agency is not responsible for the content of the translated article. The original was published by TT.

Victory for Sweden and Denmark on minimum wages

by AI | 16.Jan 2025 | Europe in brief AI

The EU’s directive on minimum wages should be repealed in its entirety, according to an Advocate General at the European Court of Justice. This gives Sweden and Denmark a tailwind in their protests.

Sweden's Minister for Gender Equality and Working Life Paulina Brandberg. Photo: Lars Schröder/TT

Stockholm – The EU directive on minimum wages should be withdrawn in its entirety, according to an Advocate General at the European Court of Justice. The proposal on minimum wages contradicts EU law, writes the Advocate General in an opinion.

The message thus aligns with the position of Sweden and Denmark, who have demanded that the European Court of Justice annul the directive from 2022, arguing that the EU lacks the mandate to make decisions on wages.

Denmark was the first to formally appeal the EU decision. In spring 2023, the Swedish government joined in.

“This is an important principled issue, ultimately about the limits of the EU’s powers,” said Deputy Minister for Employment Paulina Brandberg then to TT.

Both the unions and employers have been strongly opposed to the EU intervening in wage formation. However, in negotiations with the EU, Sweden successfully secured a number of exceptions from the EU’s decision on minimum wages.

The Advocate General’s opinion is not legally binding, but it usually carries significant weight when the European Court of Justice makes decisions.

(January 14)