Salaries have been rising faster than any time since 1996 in Germany, German Federal Statistical Office said on Tuesday.
According to the Wiesbaden-based office, in January 2008, monthly salaries and hourly wages of employees in trade and industry in Germany rose 3.3 percent compared to January 2007.
"That is the highest increase in salaries since April 1996 and in wages since July 1996," the office said in a statement.
It noted that consumer prices had risen 2.8 percent over the same period, indicating that most workers were better off.
Salaries in the public sector rose 4.4 percent, well above the average.
However, German unions have shown increasing demand for higher pay in recent months, securing pay increases well above the inflation rate.
In February, steel workers in the key north-western states gained a hike of 5.2 percent over 13 months. Train drivers have also secured a considerable rise, following a damaging year-long series of strikes.
Postal workers are currently engaged in last-minute talks to avert a national strike.
Public sector workers in Berlin are set for an all-out strike from later this week in support of a 2.9-percent demand.
Source:Xinhua
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