Minimum Wages Across Europe

Statutory minimum wages exist in many European countries, but how do they compare with what people actually earn?

According to a review published today by the Federation of European Employers, statutory minimum wage rates across Europe range from just US$14 a month in the Russian Federation to US$1,474 a month in Luxembourg. The majority of rates are closely bunched around 50% of median pay levels. However, both the Russian Federation and Spain stand out as operating statutory rates that are well below the general level of pay in their national labour markets.

Speaking about these figures today, FedEE Secretary-General Robin Chater points out that "Statutory minimum pay remains a rather bleak safety net for many workers. However, in many EU accession states changes in these rates are clearly helping to drive up general living standards and in countries such as Malta and Estonia they now represent a realistic starting point for company pay scales".

To read the review please visit http://www.fedee.com/minwage.html or contact Jane Gulliver at the Federation of European Employers in the UK on (0044) (0)207 520 9264.

The Federation of European Employers (FedEE), Adam House, 7-10 Adam Street, The Strand, London WC2N 6AA, United Kingdom. Telephone: 0207 520 9264 Email: press@fedee.com

NOTE TO EDITORS
Fédération des Employeurs Européens/The Federation of European Employers (FedEE) is the organisation for international employers operating across Europe. The Federation was founded in 1989 with financial assistance from the European Commission.