EU deal links minimum wage to decent standard of living

An agreement for EU member states to ensure that minimum wages provide a decent standard of living has been struck by negotiators from the member states and Parliament.

Six of the EU's 27 member states do not have a minimum wage and will not be required to introduce one.

But under the deal the 21 that do would be required to follow common rules but not the same rates.

The deal first needs to be voted on before it becomes law.

An estimated one in 10 workers across the EU earns the minimum wage, but the levels vary dramatically from country to country. read more