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All workers in Europe should be able to earn a living. And this is ensured by Tuesday’s ruling from the EU Court regarding the minimum wage directive.
This is stated by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in a press release:
“Today’s ruling is a milestone for Europeans. It is about dignity, fairness, and economic security,” says von der Leyen.
Both the Danish government and the European Commission believe that they have won a victory with Tuesday’s ruling.
Denmark had demanded the directive be annulled in its entirety. That did not happen, but the EU Court states that the areas that interfere “directly” in wage formation must be annulled.
On that basis, Minister of Employment Kaare Dybvad Bek (S) believes that the Danish model is secured. Here, it is up to the labor market parties to set wages in Denmark.
“I think it is important to say that this will mean that we will not introduce a statutory minimum wage in Denmark.
And that the EU will not interfere in Danish collective agreements. So overall, this is extremely positive for the Danish labor market model,” says Kaare Dybvad Bek.
Conversely, von der Leyen is pleased that the majority of the directive is upheld and thus must be implemented – also by Denmark.
“The directive will be implemented with full respect for national traditions, the autonomy of labor market parties, and the importance of collective bargaining. Our commitment is that work must really pay off,” says von der Leyen.
In the European Commission’s interpretation, “the EU Court rejects Denmark’s request to annul the directive in its entirety.”
The Commission emphasizes that the court “also confirms that the directive has been adopted on a correct legal basis.”
In return, the Commission “takes note” that the court requires the provisions that “directly” interfere in wage formation to be annulled.