HC Deb 12 July 1989 vol 156 c524W
Mr. Roy Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to how many countries in the EEC have a statutory minimum wage.

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.