Low wages in Saxony-Anhalt: Member of the Bundestag raises the alarm

Low wages in Saxony-Anhalt: Member of the Bundestag raises the alarm

In a nationwide income comparison, Saxony-Anhalt is at the lower end of the scale with gross monthly earnings of 3,688 euros. This corresponds to only 81 percent of the average value for Germany. In contrast, Hamburg leads the ranking with 4,970 euros. The nationwide average wage without special payments will be 4,468 euros in 2023, with the west contributing 4,578 euros and the east contributing 3,754 euros to the total. This difference shows an East-West gap of 824 euros.

Bundestag member Sören Pellmann from the Left Party describes the low wages in the East as inadequate and a direct route to poverty in old age. As confirmation of this fact, Saxony-Anhalt's left-wing parliamentary group leader Eva von Angern argues that the ongoing strikes illustrate the employees' dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Haseloff's state government.

In contrast, the head of government defends the situation and relies on statistics from the Federal Employment Agency, which show a positive development of gross wages in Saxony-Anhalt. He also emphasizes that the state government is working hard to close the wage gap and reduce the East-West differences. The labor market conditions in the country would promote skilled workers and drive economic recovery.

Despite the historically low wages in Saxony-Anhalt, the state has continued to develop economically and has achieved considerable growth in gross domestic product. In the 2022 GDP ranking, Saxony-Anhalt took a respectable 12th place with an amount of over 75 billion euros. The hope for further economic success is particularly linked to the planned settlement of Intel in Magdeburg, which could potentially have positive effects on wage developments and the corporate landscape in the state.