Brussels, 19/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - Although, in January 2007, 20 of the 27 EU member states had national legislation establishing a minimum salary, there were nonetheless considerable variations ranging from one to 17 from one country to another (from one to seven taking purchasing power differences into account). In 2005, the proportion of workers receiving the minimum wage was less than 1% in Spain and close to 17% in France, according to Eurostat data.
In January 2007, the minimum legal wage was €92 per month in Bulgaria and the highest was €1,570 per month in Luxembourg. After adjustment for purchasing power differences, the gaps between member states narrowed, the largest minimum wage being recorded in Luxembourg (1,503 PPS, purchasing power standard, per month) and the lowest in Romania (204 PPS). In January 2007, there were three noticeable groups. In most countries that were part of the last two enlargements, the minimum wage was generally under €300 per month, being: €92 in Bulgaria, €114 in Romania, €172 in Latvia, €174 in Lithuania, €217 in Slovakia, €230 in Estonia, €246 in Poland, €258 in Hungary and €288 in the Czech Republic. Portugal (€470), Slovenia (€522), Malta (€585), Spain (€666) and Greece (€668 in July 2006) were in the intermediary group, with a minimum wage between €400-700 per month. In France (€1,254), Belgium (€1,259), the Netherlands (€1,301), the United Kingdom (€1,361), Ireland (€1,403) and Luxembourg (€1,570), the minimum wage exceeded €1,200 per month. By way of comparison, the minimum wage at federal level in the United States was €676 per month in January 2007.
In 2005, the proportion of workers receiving a minimum wage was less or equal to 2% in Spain (0.8%), Malta (1.5%), Slovakia (1.7%), the United Kingdom (1.8%) and the Czech Republic (2.0%). It was above 10% in France (16.8%), Bulgaria (16.0%), Latvia (12.0%), Luxembourg (11.0%) and Lithuania (10.3%). In the United States, 1.3% of the workers earn the minimum wage at federal level. (ab)