Eurostat data show that 9.4% of European workers were at risk of poverty in 2018, and the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation. This worries some MEPs who support the idea of uniform criteria for setting the minimum wage in the Member States. However, not all EU countries have the concept of a national minimum wage as part of social debate – for example, in Sweden, where trade unions have long negotiated with employers.
Joining Ilze Nagla to discuss minimum wages and related issues are two MEPs: Agnes Jongerius from the Netherlands (Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats) and Nicolaus Fest from Germany (Identity and Democracy Group). However, in a break from the usual format they did not sit at the same table at the same time for this discussion as one objected to the presence of the other.