German unions report above-inflation rises


Negotiated pay increases averaged 3.1% in Germany in the first half of 2018, well above the 1.7% average rate of inflation for the same period. The pay increase was “noticeably higher” than in the same period in the previous year, when it was 2.4%.


If only agreements negotiated this year are included the rate of increase is higher at 3.7%. 


The figures come from the WSI, a research institute close to the German DGB union confederation. They include increases agreed in 2018 and those agreed in earlier years, but which came into effect in the first six months of 2018.