Bavaria's leader: Nationwide minimum wage of €15 is 'achievable'
Markus Söder, the premier of Bavaria and one of Germany's most powerful conservative politicians, said a nationwide hourly minimum wage of €15 ($17) in 2026 is within reach.
The leader of the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union (CSU) said in an interview with Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper that he would back the work of a commission looking at the issue.
"The amount will be set by an independent commission, but €15 seems achievable," he said in the interview published on Saturday.
Söder was a key player in recent coalition negogiations that put conservative politician Friedrich Merz on track to become chancellor in early May.
He noted that the coalition agreement struck between the CDU/CSU alliance and the centre-left Social Democrats clearly states that the commission will continue to set the rate, which is currently €12.82 per hour.
Still, Merz recently suggested the €15 target may not be reached until 2027.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
WOGI Deepens Client and Merchant Ecosystem with UNIQGIFT Acquisition and New COO
By integrating UNIQGIFT and appointing Gregory Imbert as COO, WOGI enhances its operational strength to expand merchant partnerships and deepen client relationships. SINGAPORE, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- WOGI, Asia's trusted digital rewards and incentives solutions partner, today announced the acquisition of UNIQGIFT, Singapore's leading provider of customised reward programs for customers, employees and partners. The deal, completed in late May, is part of WOGI's strategy to scale strategic partnerships, extend client reach across Asia and grow its leadership capacity from its Singapore headquarters. As part of the acquisition, UNIQGIFT CEO Gregory Imbert joins WOGI as Chief Operating Officer (COO) where he will lead the company's partnerships and strategic alliances, oversee product development, and drive operational excellence across all markets. His appointment is a strategic move that reinforces WOGI's commitment to strengthening enterprise support through direct, on-the-ground presence in key Asian markets—including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and Sri Lanka—while also accelerating its global reach and enhancing enterprise-grade service delivery. "This strategic alignment reflects our commitment to intentional growth and client focus, enabling enterprises to manage personalised rewards and incentives at scale," said Viktor Anastanov, CEO of WOGI. "It brings together two experienced players with deep knowledge of Asia's cultural and operational complexity. Gregory brings a proven track record of client first execution and product innovation, further enhancing how we support clients across diverse markets." Reflecting on the integration and expanded reach, WOGI's new COO, Gregory Imbert, noted: "Joining WOGI is an opportunity to extend what we built at UNIQGIFT into a broader platform which balances scale with a personal approach. Our clients gain access not only to a broader range of reward options across Asia, but also to WOGI's powerful technology and enterprise-grade solutions that are designed to deliver seamless, scalable experiences." The integration unlocks new value for both UNIQGIFT clients and merchants partners. Clients previously limited to Singapore-only reward offerings now benefit from WOGI's broader solution suite, regional service infrastructure, and merchant network spanning 47 markets. Merchant partners gain exposure to a wider client base, opening new opportunities to support campaigns and regional initiatives. WOGI recently unveiled a new brand identity that reflects its mission to make rewards and incentives simple and meaningful across Asia and beyond. Since 2015, the company has served as a digital first platform built to address the complexities of Asia's fragmented reward landscape. By unifying multiple currencies, thousands of brand partnerships, and robust compliance frameworks on a single platform, WOGI enables instant redemptions and seamless execution across the region. Trusted by global organisations, WOGI powers millions of rewards and incentives that connect businesses with the people they serve across Asia and beyond. Its platform is built to serve the needs of diverse markets, combining local insight with global reach. It also offers enterprise level security and holds certification under ISO 9001:2015 and ISO/IEC 27001:2022. The company is backed by Blackhawk Network (BHN), a global leader in branded payments, which acquired a minority stake in 2022. About WOGI WOGI is an end-to-end digital rewards and incentives platform provider, designed to power rewards, performance, and loyalty across people and markets. WOGI enables organisations to deliver culturally relevant rewards and incentives that are simple to send and easy to manage. With local teams in eight Asian markets and coverage across 47 countries, WOGI brings together enterprises, brand partners, and payment networks to deliver impactful, culturally relevant rewards that reach people where it matters most. Explore the platform at About UNIQGIFT Established in 2008, UNIQGIFT empowers organisations in Singapore to engage customers and employees in real time through innovative gifting, promotions, and loyalty solutions. UNIQGIFT is trusted by local government agencies, leading banks and insurance agencies. Its digital vouchers are accepted at top supermarkets, pharmacies, petrol stations, local cafes and more. View original content: SOURCE WOGI Group Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
WOGI Deepens Client and Merchant Ecosystem with UNIQGIFT Acquisition and New COO
By integrating UNIQGIFT and appointing Gregory Imbert as COO, WOGI enhances its operational strength to expand merchant partnerships and deepen client relationships. SINGAPORE, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- WOGI, Asia's trusted digital rewards and incentives solutions partner, today announced the acquisition of UNIQGIFT, Singapore's leading provider of customised reward programs for customers, employees and partners. The deal, completed in late May, is part of WOGI's strategy to scale strategic partnerships, extend client reach across Asia and grow its leadership capacity from its Singapore headquarters. As part of the acquisition, UNIQGIFT CEO Gregory Imbert joins WOGI as Chief Operating Officer (COO) where he will lead the company's partnerships and strategic alliances, oversee product development, and drive operational excellence across all markets. His appointment is a strategic move that reinforces WOGI's commitment to strengthening enterprise support through direct, on-the-ground presence in key Asian markets—including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and Sri Lanka—while also accelerating its global reach and enhancing enterprise-grade service delivery. "This strategic alignment reflects our commitment to intentional growth and client focus, enabling enterprises to manage personalised rewards and incentives at scale," said Viktor Anastanov, CEO of WOGI. "It brings together two experienced players with deep knowledge of Asia's cultural and operational complexity. Gregory brings a proven track record of client first execution and product innovation, further enhancing how we support clients across diverse markets." Reflecting on the integration and expanded reach, WOGI's new COO, Gregory Imbert, noted: "Joining WOGI is an opportunity to extend what we built at UNIQGIFT into a broader platform which balances scale with a personal approach. Our clients gain access not only to a broader range of reward options across Asia, but also to WOGI's powerful technology and enterprise-grade solutions that are designed to deliver seamless, scalable experiences." The integration unlocks new value for both UNIQGIFT clients and merchants partners. Clients previously limited to Singapore-only reward offerings now benefit from WOGI's broader solution suite, regional service infrastructure, and merchant network spanning 47 markets. Merchant partners gain exposure to a wider client base, opening new opportunities to support campaigns and regional initiatives. WOGI recently unveiled a new brand identity that reflects its mission to make rewards and incentives simple and meaningful across Asia and beyond. Since 2015, the company has served as a digital first platform built to address the complexities of Asia's fragmented reward landscape. By unifying multiple currencies, thousands of brand partnerships, and robust compliance frameworks on a single platform, WOGI enables instant redemptions and seamless execution across the region. Trusted by global organisations, WOGI powers millions of rewards and incentives that connect businesses with the people they serve across Asia and beyond. Its platform is built to serve the needs of diverse markets, combining local insight with global reach. It also offers enterprise level security and holds certification under ISO 9001:2015 and ISO/IEC 27001:2022. The company is backed by Blackhawk Network (BHN), a global leader in branded payments, which acquired a minority stake in 2022. About WOGI WOGI is an end-to-end digital rewards and incentives platform provider, designed to power rewards, performance, and loyalty across people and markets. WOGI enables organisations to deliver culturally relevant rewards and incentives that are simple to send and easy to manage. With local teams in eight Asian markets and coverage across 47 countries, WOGI brings together enterprises, brand partners, and payment networks to deliver impactful, culturally relevant rewards that reach people where it matters most. Explore the platform at About UNIQGIFT Established in 2008, UNIQGIFT empowers organisations in Singapore to engage customers and employees in real time through innovative gifting, promotions, and loyalty solutions. UNIQGIFT is trusted by local government agencies, leading banks and insurance agencies. Its digital vouchers are accepted at top supermarkets, pharmacies, petrol stations, local cafes and more. View original content: SOURCE WOGI Group Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
German arms exports to Israel since October 7 approach €500 million
Germany has approved exports of arms to Israel worth almost half a billion euros since the beginning of the war in Gaza amid an ongoing debate over whether Berlin should suspend deliveries. Figures from the Economy Ministry seen by dpa show that €485 million ($554 million) in exports of weapons and military equipment were approved between October 7, 2023 - when the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched deadly attacks on Israel - and May 13, 2025. It is unclear whether the figures included any deliveries granted by the new German government, which took office on May 6. Germany has been one of Israel's most vocal supporters since the October 7 attacks and has been reluctant to criticize the Israeli military's conduct in Gaza despite widespread international condemnation. The picture has changed in recent days, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul among a number of high-profile German politicians condemning the latest Israeli offensive in Gaza and the restriction of humanitarian aid. The apparent shift in Germany's position has revived the debate on whether Berlin should end deliveries of military equipment and weapons to Israel. Wadephul recently questioned further shipments in an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, saying the government is reviewing whether Israeli actions in Gaza comply with international humanitarian law. However, other leading figures from Wadephul and Merz's conservative bloc - made up of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union (CSU) - have rejected the proposal, including Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. On Tuesday, top CDU lawmaker Steffen Bilger said the CDU/CSU parliamentary group's executive committee has agreed on a common line with Wadephul. While "criticism of Israel among friends" should indeed be voiced, discussions on weapons embargoes and sanctions are "not on the agenda," Bilger said. Poll: Majority of Germans support suspending exports A majority of Germans support suspending arms exports to Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza, a survey revealed on Tuesday. The poll found that 58% of respondents favoured a temporary halt to arms deliveries, while 22% were opposed. Another 19% were undecided or declined to answer. The study by polling firm INSA, commissioned by the Avaaz campaign organization, surveyed 1,001 people between May 28 and May 30.
