The Right to a Just Wage

Abstract

Abstract This chapter investigates the contribution of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) to ethical reflection on the right to a just wage. The evolution of the Church’s teaching on just wages is examined, such as the growing acceptance of a role for the State, together with the legitimacy of collective bargaining. In CST, the just wage is connected to the idea of a family wage, but the latter has been criticized for its male breadwinner paradigm. The chapter then turns to explore the role of the EU in regulating wages. Historically, this was very limited, but in 2022 the Union adopted a Directive on adequate minimum wages. The EU has a long-standing body of law on equal pay between women and men, as well as wider provisions on non-discrimination in remuneration. The chapter considers what light may be shone on EU law by viewing this through the lens of CST. Church teaching places just wages at the centre of ensuring the dignity of work. In contrast, historically fair pay has been a marginal concern for EU labour law. CST would suggest that this was a shortcoming in EU labour law and that there is justification for the Union now adopting measures in this field. The chapter concludes by observing that engagement with EU law exposes how Church teaching remains under-developed in respect of wage justice for women.