An alliance of several agricultural associations is calling for a discount Minimum wage for seasonal workers in fruit and vegetable cultivation. Joachim RukwiedPresident of the German Farmers’ Association, called for a basic reduction of 20 percent. This still means significantly higher wage costs than in important competing countries such as Spain, Greece or Poland. But the discount must come so that cultivation in Germany has a future and the level of self-sufficiency in fruit and vegetables can be maintained.
Federal Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer (CSU) initially appeared open to calls for exceptions. However, an assessment carried out by the ministry showed that this is not legally possibleas also follows from the principle of equal treatment. The Minimum wage is anchored in law as an absolute lower limit – this also applies to short-term employees and seasonal workers. The CDU spoke at its federal party conference in February nevertheless for deviations from the minimum wage for seasonal workers.
Expert considers unequal treatment to be justified
The farmers’ association and seven other agricultural organizations have now presented a report prepared on their behalf, according to which a deduction would be legally permissible. This would not violate the principle of equal treatment in the Basic Law, explained the expert, Tübingen labor lawyer Christian Picker. Unequal treatment is objectively justified because it serves to secure employment and self-sufficiency and the affected workers continue to have adequate minimum protection.
The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) categorically rejects a “second-class minimum wage,” as board member Stefan Körzell said. The nationwide lower wage limit must apply to all employees without exception. “The minimum wage ensures that wage dumping is no longer part of the business model and thus contributes to fair, functioning competitive conditions. It must stay that way,” said Körzell.
Since the beginning of the year the legal minimum wage is 13.90 euros per hour. By 2027 it will rise to 14.60 euros.