A statutory minimum wage has been in place in Germany since 1 January 2015. The Federal Government has established a Minimum Wage Commission (Mindestlohnkommission, MLK) to adjust the minimum wage amount. The Commission is supported by a Coordination and Information Office established as Unit 1.4 at the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
The purpose of Unit 1.4 is to support the Minimum Wage Commission scientifically, technically and organisationally in performing its tasks. The Unit's tasks particularly include the following:
- 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
- Conceptualization and commissioning of external research projects for the evaluation of the minimum wage
- Preparation of the Minimum Wage Commission's biennial reports on the impact of the statutory minimum wage
- Organization of scientific conferences and workshops on the effects of the minimum wage
- Conducting expert hearings in advance of minimum wage adjustments with experts, organizations, and associations affected by the adjustment
- Point of contact for questions about the minimum wage
- Maintaining contact with the customs authorities and the relevant federal ministries
- Organisation and taking minutes of the Minimum Wage Commission's meetings
- Management of the budget of the Minimum Wage Commission