Indices of agreed earnings and working hours
What is described by the statistics of agreed earnings?
The statistics of agreed earnings offer an important insight into the system of collective agreements in Germany. They show the development of agreed earnings and of particularly important elements of collective agreements such as working hours, payment by results, one-off payments, extra payments and length of holidays. The individual wage and salary grades are shown separately so that developments in the upper and lower grades of earnings can be compared with each other and assessments can be made on the social components of the collective agreement. A comprehensive picture of the structure of the major collective agreements is provided by data on the pay grading of foremen, craftsmen and fitters under various collective agreements, on selected job titles or job descriptions, and on the wide range of occupational or other wage and salary grades. Since increases in agreed earnings usually apply only to part of the year concerned, the effective date and duration of the collective agreements are also indicated.
How are the statistics of agreed earnings compiled?
The results of the statistics of agreed earnings are based on analyses of collective agreements concluded for industry, wholesale and retail trade, financial intermediation, transport, storage and communication, and the central, regional and local authorities. The statistics only cover collective bargaining agreements; company agreements are not included. The related analyses rely on the major collective agreements selected for the branches of economic activity concerned. Selection is made largely in line with the statistics of earnings. The relevant collective agreements are provided by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
When are the statistics of agreed earnings published?
Up-to-date information is continuously available from the database of agreed earnings. The data can be accessed free of charge at www.destatis.de/tarifdatenbank (only in German).
How accurate are the statistics of agreed earnings?
The system of collective agreements in Germany is presently undergoing change. The number of collective agreements which apply across the whole nation has declined. Collective agreements with a more limited territorial validity and a narrower field of application as well as company agreements have increased in numbers. Hence, the number of employees who are covered by the collective agreements that are the subject of the statistics of agreed earnings will presumably decline. Nonetheless, the statistics of agreed earnings offer an important insight into the system of collective agreements in Germany and serve as a wage development indicator.
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For further information please contact:
Frau Sabine Lenz
Phone: +49 611 75 3541
