--- title: "Working in Germany I: the protections provided by labour law" description: German labor law provides for a high level of protection for employees. --- [Skip to content](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/the-protections-provided-by-labour-law#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [Contact us](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) ![DwyerLegal\_logo.png\]](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DwyerLegal_logo.png?height=42&name=DwyerLegal_logo.png) - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://dwyer-legal-4951429.hs-sites.com/blog) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://dwyer-legal-4951429.hs-sites.com/blog) - English Show submenu for translations - [Contact us](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/kb-tickets/new) - Contact us Contact us Dwyer Legal Citizenship Knowledge Base - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Dwyer Legal Knowledge Base](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [German Labour Law](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/german-labour-law?hsLang=en) # Working in Germany I: the protections provided by labour law ## German labor law provides for a high level of protection for employees. This strong level of guarantee is expressed above all in the **principle of equal treatment**, which is a corollary of the principle of equality. Equal treatment unfolds its effects in two different directions, namely in the Community obligation of equal treatment of EU citizens compared to citizens of a particular Member State, and in the general principle of equal treatment of workers within the same place of work. The principle of equal treatment of workers prohibits the employer from discriminating against individual workers or groups of workers in comparison with other workers who are in a similar situation. An exception to this rule occurs only when the difference in treatment is due to an "objective reason". Another expression of the guarantee of German labor law is the attention paid by the legislator to **remuneration**. In Germany, in fact, the minimum wage is fixed by a special law, known as *Gesetz zur Regelung eines allgemeinen Mindestlohns* (*Mindestlohngesetz - MiLoG*). If the German Customs Agency finds irregularities in wages, it will oblige the employer to pay both the minimum wage and a financial penalty. The employer has a duty to pay the minimum wage to his employee, even if he is not satisfied with the employeeʼs Performance. As of 1 January 2020, the minimum wage is EUR 9.35 gross per hour actually worked. In general, the wages of collective bargaining agreements are higher than the minimum wages required by law and, as such, more advantageous for the employee.   Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need additional Information: Dwyer Legal Law Firm, Schwanthalerstr. 13, Aufgang IV, 80336 Munich Tel: +49 (0)89 24 88 14 310, [www.dwyer-legal.com](http://www.dwyer-legal.com) Note: Information provided in this Knowledge Database is for orientation only and not binding. - [German Citizenship](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/german-citizenship?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Dwyer Legal Citizenship Services for German residents](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/german-citizenship?hsLang=en#dwyer-legal-citizenship-services-for-german-residents) - [Einbürgerungstest and Leben in Deutschland](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/german-citizenship?hsLang=en#einb%C3%BCrgerungstest-and-leben-in-deutschland) - [The new German citizenship law](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/german-citizenship?hsLang=en#the-new-german-citizenship-law) - [Citizenship aquisition by birth](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/german-citizenship?hsLang=en#citizenship-aquisition-by-birth) - [Citizenship applications by family relationships](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/german-citizenship?hsLang=en#citizenship-applications-by-family-relationships) - [Citizenship based on Nazi regime persecution](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/german-citizenship?hsLang=en#citizenship-based-on-nazi-regime-persecution) - [Permanent Residence Permits](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/permanent-residence-permits?hsLang=en) - [Visa and Work Permits](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Blue Card Work permits](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#blue-card-work-permits) - [Company Specialist Work Permits](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#company-specialist-work-permits) - [ICT: Secondment work permits / Deputed employees](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#ict-secondment-work-permits-deputed-employees) - [Self-Employment / Freelancer Permits](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#self-employment-freelancer-permits) - [Dependency Visas](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#dependency-visas) - [Entry visas (Schengen and National Visas)](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#entry-visas-schengen-and-national-visas) - [Job Seeker and Opprtunity visas](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#job-seeker-and-opprtunity-visas) - [Visa emergency situations](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#visa-emergency-situations) - [Dwyer Legal visa processing](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#dwyer-legal-visa-processing) - [Employee Posting (General Information)](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/employee-posting-general-information?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Posting of Employees within the EU (van der Elst)](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/employee-posting-general-information?hsLang=en#posting-of-employees-within-the-eu-van-der-elst) - [German Labour Law](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/german-labour-law?hsLang=en) - [Temporary Employment Law (AUG)](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/temporary-employment-law-aug?hsLang=en) - [Payroll, Taxes and Contributions](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/payroll-taxes-and-contributions?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Income taxes and contributions](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/payroll-taxes-and-contributions?hsLang=en#income-taxes-and-contributions) - [Payroll processing](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/payroll-taxes-and-contributions?hsLang=en#payroll-processing) - [Company Foundation](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/company-foundation?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Company formation and processing](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/company-foundation?hsLang=en#company-formation-and-processing) - [Shareholder Work Permit Processing](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/company-foundation?hsLang=en#shareholder-work-permit-processing) - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://dwyer-legal-4951429.hs-sites.com/blog) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DwyerLegal_logo-1.png?width=64&height=24&name=DwyerLegal_logo-1.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://dwyer-legal.com) Dwyer Legal © Copyright © 2026, Dwyer Legal Law Firm