Against the backdrop of the current discussions surrounding the agreements on the minimum wage set out in the coalition agreement, the BDSW is very concerned that the independence of the Minimum Wage Commission enshrined in the Minimum Wage Act will once again be undermined in the face of political pressure. In view of the upcoming decision at this month’s meeting of the Minimum Wage Commission, the association considers it necessary to once again – and publicly – send a clear signal in favour of collective bargaining autonomy for employers and employees. The BDSW, together with ten other associations, has therefore sent an urgent open letter to Lars Klingbeil, Dr Matthias Miersch and Bärbel Bas, calling on them to refrain from further interference in the setting of the minimum wage and to trust in collective bargaining autonomy. The Minimum Wage Commission’s adjustment decisions must once again be made in accordance with the proven system and the criteria laid down by law. The wage index must retain or regain its central role.

The security industry is characterised by a successful collective bargaining system. Both the introduction of the statutory minimum wage in 2015 and the political interference in the work of the Minimum Wage Commission through the extraordinary statutory minimum wage increase to £12.00 per hour from October 2022 were and remain a considerable burden on this wage structure.