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NEWS EUROPE 7 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 8 JUNE 2022 MATTHEW VELLA MEPS and negotiators for the EU member states have reached a provisional deal for a Europe- an directive that will guarantee adequate minimum wages in the EU. Member states with statutory minimum wages will be request- ed to put in place a procedural framework that updates mini- mum wages according to a set of clear criteria. Malta last updated its mini- mum wage in 2017, with a grad- ual increase that was spread over three years. But it also increases the minimum wage automatical- ly every year through the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), a weekly wage increment bro- kered with the social partners, that is based on retail price index increases. Now the Council and the Euro- pean Parliament agreed that up- dates to the statutory minimum wages will take place at least every two years, or at most every four years for those countries that use an automatic indexation mechanism. The social partners will have to be involved in the procedures for setting and updating statutory minimum wages. Member states have two years to transpose the directive into national law. Member states will also have to assess whether their exist- ing statutory minimum wages are adequate to ensure a decent standard of living, taking into ac- count their own socio-economic conditions, purchasing power or the long-term national produc- tivity levels and developments. For the adequacy assessment, EU countries may establish a basket of goods and services at real prices. They then can apply indicative reference values com- monly used internationally, such as 60% of the gross median wage and 50% of the gross average wage. The agreed text introduces the obligation for EU countries to set up an enforcement system, including reliable monitoring, controls and field inspections, to ensure compliance and address abusive sub-contracting, bogus self-employment, non-recorded overtime or increased work in- tensity. Member states in which less than 80% of the workforce is pro- tected by a collective agreement will have to create an action plan to progressively increase this coverage. The deal will be sent back to the EP's Employment and Social Affairs Committee, for a first vote, and then for a plenary vote. The Council also has to approve the deal. "With the agreement on mini- mum wages, we are writing so- cio-political history in Europe. For the first time, EU legislation will contribute directly to ensur- ing that workers are getting fair- er, better pay checks," said EPP co-rapporteur Dennis Radtke. S&D co-rapporter Agnes Jon- gerius said the law would push for higher wages for Europe's lowest paid workers. "They should be able to buy new clothes, join a sports team, or go on a well-deserved holiday. In short, they should have a decent standard of living". In the EU, 21 out of 27 countries have a statutory minimum wage while Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Italy and Sweden, wage levels are determined through collective bargaining. Expressed in euro, monthly minimum wag- es vary widely across the EU, ranging from €332 in Bulgaria to €2,202 in Luxembourg. MEPs clinch provisional deal on adequate minimum wage These articles are part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. These articles reflect only the authors' view. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. Alex Agius Saliba takes on Apple as EU agrees common charger rules KURT SANSONE WITHIN two years' electronic devices from smart phones to tablets and head- sets will have to use a common charger if sold within the EU. The common standard adopted is USB-C, which means that Apple will have to change its smartphone charger. The new rules spearheaded by Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba were agreed by the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council on Tues- day. Asked about Apple's reluctance to change its charging system, Agius Sal- iba did not mince his words. "If Apple wants to benefit from the EU market and its consumers it will have to abide by our rules," he told journalists during a press conference in Brussels alongside Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton. "Apple has two years to conform if it wants to market and sell its smart phones and tablets in the EU," Agius Saliba replied. A range of 15 product categories fall within the scope of the regulations, which aim to reduce inconvenience and expense for consumers, while protect- ing the environment from unnecessary electronic waste. Agius Saliba, who was the rapporteur on the issue, said the agreement gave consumers "a fairer deal". The rules will come into force in two years' time but laptops will be given a further 16-month extension to con- form. The rules cover most portable elec- tronic devices, including mobile phones, tablets, portable speakers, digital cam- eras, e-readers, earbuds, computer mice and laptops. Agius Saliba said the rules will also allow for the creation of standards for wireless charging technology. "After waiting for more than 10 years we now have an agreement that will help consumers shift to wireless and common charging technology," he said, adding this will lead to reuse of chargers and save consumers up to €250 million per year. Commissioner Breton praised Agius Saliba and said the original proposal put forward by the Brussels executive had been accepted and improved upon by parliament. "We are doing this in the best interest of European consumers, businesses and the environment," Breton said, noting that the legislation will save more than 1,000 tonnes of electronic waste every year. Addressing the question on Apple, Breton said that if any company wants to benefit from the world's largest dig- ital market it can do so based on the rules that will come into force. MEP Alex Agius Saliba has led talks on the adoption of EU rules for a common charger for electronic devices