Economics
EU Risks Alienating Denmark as Wage Dispute Provokes Disbelief
- Proposed minimum wage directive frustrates the Nordic country
- Danish collective bargaining system is at risk, minister says
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Denmark’s relationship with the European Union has historically mirrored that of the U.K. Both countries applied for membership the same year (1961) and ultimately joined the same year (1973). Now, the government in Copenhagen says the EU’s intention to weigh in on a minimum-wage framework across the bloc might be more than Denmark is willing to swallow.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Danish Employment Minister Peter Hummelgaard Thomsen said sovereignty over labor market laws has always been a condition of Denmark’s EU membership. He said Denmark is ready to fight the EU to maintain that independence.