TNT has filed a complaint with the European Commission about the introduction of a €9.80 (c £7.80) minimum wage for all postal carriers in Germany, which violates European Union rules.

The German government’s decision to declare the minimum wage generally binding violates the European treaty on competition and freedom of establishment. Under the cover of social reasons, it aims to raise the costs of Deutsche Post’s rivals, hinder competition, and shield the historic monopolist from the impact of market liberalisation and the realisation of a single European postal market.

“Some Member States are taking protectionist measures to circumvent the Postal Directive. European customers deserve more than a cosmetic liberalisation,” says Peter Bakker, CEO of TNT. “By filing our complaint, we join in the European Commission’s efforts to ensure fair competition.”

On 7 March 2008, the Berlin Administrative Court in first instance ruled that the German State had failed to consider the economic impact on competitors when introducing the €9.80 minimum wage. The German government publicly disregards the ruling.