VW wage increase a positive for Eurozone inflation

FRANKFURT, Germany: (AP)

Automaker Volkswagen and Germany's industrial union have agreed to increase wages 4.8 per cent by next year in an economy where the cost of living is flat. It is the kind of raise that could help the 19-country Eurozone lift inflation from dangerously low levels.

The company said Friday that almost 120,000 workers would get 2.8 per cent more on September 1 and then another 2.0 per cent on August 1, 2017.

Volkswagen is struggling to overcome the costs of a scandal over cars equipped with software that enabled them to cheat in diesel emissions tests. The company deducted 16.2 billion euros (currently US$18.1 billion) from its earnings last year to cover recalls and other costs for 11 million cars with the software sold worldwide.

However, worker representatives have been adamant that they should not pay the price for management's mistakes. The Volkswagen deal broadly tracks a nationwide deal for raises of 2.8 per cent and 2.0 per cent for 3.8 million factory workers, although the dates of the increases are different. Volkswagen typically opts out of the national deal and makes its own agreement with its workers.

HIGHER WAGES AND INFLATION

Economists say higher wages and inflation in Germany would help the entire Eurozone.

Prices in Germany fell 0.1 per cent in the year to April and in the Eurozone they fell 0.2 per cent. The European Central Bank, the chief monetary authority for the countries that use the euro as their currency, is pumping newly printed money into the economy through bond purchases in an attempt to raise inflation to a level more in line with a solid economy. The bank's goal is just under 2 per cent.

As the currency union's biggest economy Germany would make the largest contribution in raising price levels. Current low levels of inflation make it harder for indebted countries such as Greece and Italy, to reduce their debt loads.

Higher wages in Germany would also improve the relative trade competitiveness of struggling Eurozone members. If overall Eurozone inflation is near zero, as it is currently, then hard-hit Greece needs to actually force down wages in order for its companies to become more competitive.