Fabian Gieseke

Minimum Wages and Youth Employment Fabian Gieseke

Political parties, labor unions and several NGOs have demanded a statutory minimum wage for Germany since 2007. Due to this increasing pressure, the grand coalition have incorporated a national wage floor of EUR 8.50 in the coalition agreement, which will be binding from 2015 onwards. This development took place despite of massive resistance from many German and international economists whom repeatedly warned a MW would have a significant, negative impact on youth employment. Despite the warning, no studies or simulations have focused particularly on young persons in Germany and their employment prospects in the case of a statutory minimum wage so far. However, this development took place despite massive resistance of many German and international economists who repeatedly warn that a MW would have a large negative impact on youth employment. Nevertheless, so far no studies or simulations have focused particularly on young persons in Germany and their employment prospects in case of a statutory minimum wage. However, this development took place despite massive resistance of many German and international economists who repeatedly warn that a MW would have a large negative impact on youth employment. Nevertheless, so far no studies or simulations have focused particularly on young persons in Germany and their employment prospects in case of a statutory minimum wage.