Brussels, 27/09/2013
Bernadette Ségol (ETUC) General Secretary said: “We protest against this clear and irresponsible interference by EU institutions in national wage setting systems. The limits of EU rights in the field of wages must be respected. The EU has no competence to intervene in wages (article 153-5); its competence to issue wage recommendations through broad economic guidelines is limited to just that, recommendations. There should be no pressure whatsoever on national wage setting systems and more particularly on minimum wages”.
Bernadette Ségol added “What does the EU hope to achieve by bringing down minimum wages in Slovenia? This step would, inevitably, lead to an increase in the number of working poor in this country. These types of measures are unfair and ineffective and only increase the distance between the EU and its citizens; they do not restore growth; they do not increase employment; they increase downwards competition.”