In a decision published on Wednesday 5 July, the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR), the Council of Europe body in charge of ensuring respect for the 1961 European Social Charter, sharply criticised the reduction in the minimum wage for workers aged under-25 in Greece. It argues that this is “excessive” and constitutes “age based discrimination” in violation of the European Social Charter.
MEPs are examining a Greek law adopted in February 2012 as part of the budget adjustment programme. This aims to reduce the minimum wage set out in the general national collective agreement for young people aged under-25 by 32%. This reduction also applies to interns and apprentices, while the reduction in the minimum wage demanded for workers aged over-25 is 22%.
The ECSR considers that the legislation implemented violates numerous principles, including: the right of the worker to earn his/her living; to provide reasonable daily and weekly working hours, and the working week to be progressively reduced; the right of workers to remuneration that will give them and their families a decent standard of living; the right of all workers to a reasonable period of notice for termination of employment; the right of employed persons under 18 years of age to at least four weeks’ annual holiday with pay; and the right of workers and their representatives to determine and improve their working conditions.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes the decision by the ECSR. Esher Lynch, ETUC Confederal Secretary, explained that “The judgement also sends a warning to countries such as the UK, the Netherlands and Ireland that have lower minimum wages for young workers, and Germany where workers under 24 do not get the minimum wage.” (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)