HC Deb 20 January 1989 vol 145 cc364-5W
Mr. Leighton

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what minimum wage provision exists in each of the 12 EEC countries.

Mr. Nicholls

Five countries—France, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and Luxembourg—have a statutory national minimum wage. In Ireland, as in the United Kingdom, a statutory minimum wage applies only in certain industries. Two countries—Belgium and Greece—have a general minimum wage laid down in national level collective agreements which are binding in law. Three countries—West Germany, Italy and Denmark—set minimum rates of pay by industry level collective agreements applying in all sectors and binding in law.