MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Protests were held in 20 Polish cities on Monday against Germany’s introduction of a minimum wage for everyone operating on its market, with the action forcing Polish transport companies with cheaper services and lower salaries out of the German market, local media reported.
Starting from January 1, 2015, Germany introduced a statutory minimum wage of 8.5 euros ($9.2) per hour, for all companies operating in the country. French authorities have claimed they plan to introduce similar legislation.
The demonstrators also protest against anti-Russia sanctions imposed by the European Union over Moscow’s alleged role in the Ukrainian internal crisis, which triggered a response – a Russian embargo on food imports from the countries that earlier imposed sanctions.
According to Polish news outlet wPolityce, Poland has lost over $65 million in the last five months of 2014 due to the Russian embargo, with Polish transport companies suffering the most.
