Germany is one of the few industrialised countries not to have a minimum wage

in all parts of the economy. It has mostly relied in the past on minimum rates

negotiated in collective bargaining though in a small but increasing number of

sectors (starting with construction in 1997) these sectoral minimum wages cover all

workers whether or not their employers are party to the agreement. But proposals to

have a universal minimum wage have been discussed very actively in both political

and academic circles and look increasingly likely to happen in the near future.