Low-wage country MV: Over a third of employees are at risk of poverty!

Low-wage country MV: Over a third of employees are at risk of poverty!

There is still an alarming wage situation in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The federal state retains its inglorious title as Germany’s “low-wage state”. How Catapult MV reports, more than 126,000 people here earn less than 2,750 euros gross per month. This corresponds to an impressive share of 36% of the approximately 351,000 full-time employees. This number is uniquely high compared to other federal states, as only 20.9% of full-time employees nationwide earn less than this amount.

The median salary in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is only 3,294 euros gross, which is the lowest level in Germany. This means that half of the employees earn less than this amount. Left-wing politician Dietmar Bartsch calls the situation a “million-fold wage problem” and emphasizes that low wages are becoming a challenge in many places, especially when you take into account the constantly rising costs of rent, energy and food.

Growing risk of poverty

The warnings about poverty in old age are getting louder. Anne Zerr, the spokeswoman for labor policy for the Left, raises the alarm: Almost half of the working people in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania could be affected by a pension that is at risk of poverty. The German Federation of Trade Unions is calling for a “poverty-proof minimum wage” in order to combat these tendencies.

In eastern Germany the situation is even more precarious, because around 60% of full-time employees in the eastern German states, which also include Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, earn less than 3,500 euros per month. In MV it is even 62.2%. This fact sheds light on the pension policy situation, as many pensioners in regions like this are dependent on social assistance.

The federal government in criticism

Bartsch also criticizes the black-red federal government, which has failed to introduce a minimum wage of 15 euros. Although the minimum wage in Germany will be increased to 14.60 euros per hour on January 1, 2027, the increase to 13.90 euros from 2024 is not considered sufficient. The rising cost of living is making it difficult for many people to make ends meet, intensifying calls for a wage offensive.

Overall, the situation in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania shows that there is a need for action. Politicians are required to improve the situation for citizens and effectively combat the risk of poverty. The cover image of the “low-wage country” debate will therefore remain on the agenda in the coming months.

For further information, the Baltic Sea newspaper deeper insights into wage analyzes and their effects on the labor market in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.