Every other year, the Minimum Wage Commission has to adjust the minimum wage amount. The Commission made its first decision by 28 June 2016 with effect from 1 January 2017. Furthermore it has a statutory mandate to constantly evaluate the impact of the minimum wage on the protection of workers, the conditions of competition and employment in regard to certain industries and regions, as well as on productivity. The Commission presents the results to the Federal Government in a report together with its resolution.

Top-level organisations of workers and employers propose Commissioners

When appointing the Minimum Wage Commission, the knowledge level of the collective agreement partners was taken into account. Following the proposal of the umbrella organisations of the employers and employees, the German federal government appointed three voting members to represent employers and three voting members to represent employees. The Minimum Wage Commission also has two advisory scientific members who do not have voting rights. The Minimum Wage Commission is led by a neutral chairperson. The chairperson was appointed by the German federal government on the basis of a common proposal by the umbrella organisations of the employers and employees.

Tasks of the office

The Coordination and Information Office for the Minimum Wage has in particular the following tasks:

• Scientific evaluation of the impact of the minimum wage on the protection of workers, conditions of competition and employment in regard to certain industries and regions, and on productivity
• Contact for questions about the minimum wage
• Informing and advising workers and employers as well as companies about the minimum wage
• Professional exchange with the Customs Administration and the responsible Federal Ministries
• Preparation, organisation and taking minutes of meetings of the Minimum Wage Commission
• Management of the budget of the Minimum Wage Commission