BERLIN: Germany is set to introduce a national minimum wage on Thursday, long resisted by conservatives who say it will make industries uncompetitive, but which is hoped will help the poor and stimulate demand.

The step was a red-line issue for the centre-left Social Democrats.

The minimum wage of $11.60 an hour will benefit more than five million workers when it is phased in between January 1, 2015 and 2017.

Introducing a universal minimum wage brings Europe’s biggest economy in line with 21 of the European Union’s 28 member states, and with the wishes of the German electorate who have overwhelmingly supported the move in opinion polls.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2014