The EU Council today adopted the directive on an adequate minimum wage almost two years after it was proposed by the European Commission.

The directive provides procedures for an adequate minimum income for workers, promotes collective agreements and strengthens access to minimum wage protection for those workers for whom it is provided for in the national legislation of their country.

The Czech Republic's Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs welcomed the adoption of the directive, saying that at a time of energy crisis it was a message of hope.

- The minimum wage and collective wage bargaining are strong tools that can be used for all workers to earn a wage that will enable a decent standard of living, said Deputy Minister Marjan Jurechka.

The directive does not go so far as to introduce a minimum wage in countries that do not have such a policy, which are six in the EU. Those who have it should ensure that it is "appropriate". This adequacy will need to be regularly tested, the directive provides, when conditions change, such as in the case of inflation. The reference value proposed to member states is 50 percent of the average salary.

The law should be transposed into the national legislation of the member states within two years.