Pay rises lag productivity increases in 15 EU countries

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has released figures showing how pay increases in many countries across Europe have lagged behind productivity developments over the period 2010-2019. Wage rises in 15 European Union Member States have been anything from 0.2% to 35% lower than productivity increase over that period. The ETUC is calling for "action to support stronger collective bargaining. When workers can bargain for their fair share of productivity gains the median wage increases which makes it more likely that 60% of the median wage amounts to a minimum wage from which workers can make a living."