Brandenburg adopts Berlin's fair wage law to boost worker pay and cut red tape
Brandenburg is preparing to introduce its own fair wage law, closely modelling key parts of Berlin’s updated policy. The move comes as the state seeks to ensure companies pay union-scale wages for public contracts. Labour Minister René Wilke has stressed the need for clear rules that reduce bureaucracy while promoting fairness for businesses. Berlin recently revised its fair wage law, raising the minimum contract thresholds for construction, supply, and service agreements. The updated rules now apply to contracts worth as little as €1,000. Wilke has made it clear that Brandenburg wants to avoid setting thresholds too low, as this could discourage firms from bidding.
Brandenburg’s coalition government, led by the SPD and CDU, has agreed to replace the current minimum wage requirement with a stricter fair wage compliance system. The goal is to create a level playing field for companies already bound by collective agreements. Wilke has also highlighted the strong economic ties between Brandenburg and Berlin, arguing that a coordinated approach would prevent confusion for businesses operating across both regions.
The state’s Labour Ministry plans to work closely with Berlin to align its fair wage rules. Wilke has emphasised that the new law should minimise uncertainty for employers while ensuring workers receive fair pay. The policy shift follows Berlin’s recent overhaul, which tightened wage standards for public contracts. Brandenburg’s proposed fair wage law will require companies to meet union-agreed pay rates for public contracts. The state aims to finalise the rules in cooperation with Berlin to maintain consistency across the two regions. Officials expect the changes to improve compliance while keeping administrative burdens low for businesses.
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