The object of the award is the preparation of a study on the significance of the statutory minimum wage for companies and employees in the courier, express and parcel service industry.
The aim of this study is to identify and describe the effects of the statutory minimum wage on employees and companies in the courier, express and parcel service industry. The focus of the study is on the understanding of adaptation reactions, actions and motives for action, taking into account the respective contextual conditions.
The study is intended to provide gaps in knowledge about the effect of the statutory minimum wage in this part of the economy, for which suitable data from company or employee surveys are not available. Within the framework of the project, a qualitative research design will be applied.
The object of the award is the preparation of a study on the significance of the statutory minimum wage for companies and employees in the courier, express and parcel service industry.
The aim of this study is to identify and describe the effects of the statutory minimum wage on employees and companies in the courier, express and parcel service industry. The focus of the study is on the understanding of adaptation reactions, actions and motives for action, taking into account the respective contextual conditions.
The study is intended to provide gaps in knowledge about the effect of the statutory minimum wage in this part of the economy, for which suitable data from company or employee surveys are not available. Within the framework of the project, a qualitative research design will be applied.
The following topics will be examined:
• the impact of the increase in the statutory minimum wage to EUR 12 per hour on the wages, working hours and work intensity of employees;
• the impact of the minimum wage on the profitability and competitiveness of the establishment and on the competitive and cooperative relations between establishments;
• Changes in the company's demand for and supply of employees, in the company's work organisation (e.g. rationalisation and automation measures) and in the number of employees due to the minimum wage;
• Minimum wage-related consequences for internal wage determination and wage distribution (e.g. for employees in different jobs; changes in special and one-off payments) as well as effects on motivation and job satisfaction as well as on the working atmosphere;
• the impact of the minimum wage on transitions from paid employment to self-employment and on transitions from dependent employment to undeclared work (both directions);
• Operational implementation of the minimum wage, including questions about compliance, type of working time recording and bureaucratic burden.
The interviews are intended to shed light on the perceived effects of the statutory minimum wage, the adaptation reactions to it, their justifications and expectations, as well as the framework conditions in which they take place.
The following number of interviews is expected:
• 25 interviews with decision-makers (management, owner, HR manager) from companies affected by the minimum wage.
• 25 interviews with workers affected by the minimum wage.
• 10 interviews with inter-company actors.
Guideline-based (semi-standardized) interviews are to be conducted with those responsible at the company decision-making level (management, owner, HR manager) from companies affected by the minimum wage as well as with employees affected by the minimum wage.
The timetable for the project is as follows:
• December 01, 2023 Start of the contract period
• May 31, 2024 Submission of interim report
• June 2024 Presentation of the results of the interim report at a project contractor workshop
• Nov 30, 2024 Submission of Final Report (Draft)
• Jan. 31, 2025 Submission of final report
A more detailed project description, in which the procurement project is explained in detail, is contained in the award document “Statement of Work”.