BARWAGE
All information on the BARWAGE project, WageIndicator together with CELSI, Utrecht University and Fondazione Giuseppe di Vittorio
Project Description
BARWAGE is an EU-funded research initiative that addresses a key challenge in European labour markets: the limited comparative evidence on how different wage-setting mechanisms shape wage levels, wage growth, and wage distribution across countries and sectors. Wage outcomes in the EU are influenced by a complex interplay of statutory minimum wages, collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), pay-scale tables, and employer discretion, yet their relative importance remains insufficiently mapped. BARWAGE responds to this gap through in-depth quantitative analysis across the EU27, with a focused examination of nine Member States Austria, Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. The project systematically quantifies the role of collective bargaining and other wage-setting arenas, identifies the industries and bargaining levels where pay-scale tables are included in CBAs, and assesses how these structures affect wage levels and wage dispersion. Organised into interconnected workstreams, BARWAGE combines EU-wide measurement of wage-setting mechanisms, comparative country and sector analysis, and detailed examination of pay-scale tables, alongside strong dissemination and data infrastructure development. A core output of the project is the expansion of a comprehensive Collective Agreements Database, enhancing transparency and accessibility of wage-setting information across Europe. Within BARWAGE, WageIndicator acts as a project partner responsible for data gathering, contributing to the development and maintenance of the Collective Agreements Database across EU countries, and supporting the dissemination of research findings through publications, digital tools, and events. Together, BARWAGE strengthens the evidence base on collective bargaining and wage formation and supports informed policy debates on fair pay and social dialogue in Europe.
Language | Project language: English. |
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Project title | BARWAGE – The importance of collective bargaining for wage setting in the European Union |
Funded by |  European Commission. Directorate-General for Employment. Social Affairs and Inclusion - Project Number 101052319 |
Duration | September 1, 2022 - August 31, 2024 |
Goal of the project | 1. To quantify the wage-setting arenas in EU27 by performing quantitative analyses. |
Countries in Action | EU 27 |
Lead Partner | Utrecht University, the Netherlands |
Partners | · WageIndicator Foundation, Amsterdam |
Meetings & Events | - BARWAGE Kick-off meeting - 30 September 2022 - Introduction to the BARWAGE project - Janna Besamusca - Janna Besamusca -The WageIndicator Collective Agreements Database - Gabriele Medas - - 8th ILO Regulating for Decent Work Conference 10-12 June 2023 The interplay of statutory minimum wages and collective wage bargaining across European sectors. - FINAL CONFERENCE - 26 JUNE 2024 |
Website | |
National WageIndicator websites with a Collective Agreement Database | Austria Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Poland Portugal Romania Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden United Kingdom |
Publications | doi: 10.5281/zenodo.8314719 doi: 10.5281/zenodo.10726202 - Fidrmuc, A. and Kahancová, M. (2024). Discretion and (de)centralization in wage bargaining in the construction, hospitality, urban transport and waste management sectors: A Study on Austria. BARWAGE Project Report 3. Amsterdam: WageIndicator Foundation. DOI 10.5281/zenodo.13239230 https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13239256 DOI 10.5281/zenodo.13239265. - Lindma, E. L. & Siniväli, S. (2024). Discretion and (de)centralization in wage bargaining in the construction, hospitality, urban transport and waste management sectors: A study on Estonia. BARWAGE Project Report No. 6. Amsterdam: WageIndicator Foundation. DOI 10.5281/zenodo.13239270 - Leonardi, S. (2024a). Discretion and (de)centralization in wage bargaining in the construction, hospitality, urban transport and waste management sectors: A study on France. BARWAGE Project Report 7. Amsterdam: WageIndicator Foundation. DOI 10.5281/zenodo.13239272. - Leonardi, S. (2024b). Discretion and (de)centralization in wage bargaining in the construction, hospitality, urban transport and waste management sectors: A study on Italy. BARWAGE Project Report 8. Amsterdam: WageIndicator Foundation. DOI 10.5281/zenodo.13239285. - Besamusca, J. (2024). Discretion and (de)centralization in wage bargaining in the construction, hospitality, urban transport and waste management sectors: A study on the Netherlands. BARWAGE Project Report 9. Amsterdam: WageIndicator Foundation. DOI 10.5281/zenodo.13239285. - Leonardi, S. (2024c). Discretion and (de)centralization in wage bargaining in the construction, hospitality, urban transport and waste management sectors: A study on Portugal. BARWAGE Project Report 10. Amsterdam: WageIndicator Foundation. DOI 10.5281/zenodo.13239312. - Leonardi, S. (2024d). Discretion and (de)centralization in wage bargaining in the construction, hospitality, urban transport and waste management sectors: A study on Spain. BARWAGE Project Report 11. Amsterdam: WageIndicator Foundation. DOI 10.5281/zenodo.13239315 - Brunetti, I. (2024). The distribution of employees and wages in five sectors of activity: the Italian case. BARWAGE Report 13. Amsterdam: WageIndicator Foundation. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13325033 - Besamusca, J., & Medina Ojeda, A. (2024). Exploring wage gaps between earned wages and bargained pay rates: the Dutch Case. BARWAGE Project report 14. Amsterdam: WageIndicator Foundation. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13378420 - Besamusca, J., & Medina Ojeda, A. (2024). The relation between collectively bargained and earned wages in sector level bargaining in 7 EU member states. BARWAGE Report 15. Amsterdam: WageIndicator Foundation. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13378400 - Besamusca, J., & Kahancova, M. (2024). Mind the gap between your collective agreement and your wages: assessing the importance of collective bargaining for wage setting in Europe. BARWAGE Report 16. Amsterdam: WageIndicator Foundation. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13623627 |
Newsletters | 24/11/2025 - 🚀 Two Major Collective Bargaining Events in Europe + New CBAs with AI Clauses Inside 22/08/2025 - Feeling Drained by Work? Research Says You’re Not to Blame 20/05/2025 - Dive Into CBA Trends in Europe’s Service Sector: Reports & Events Now Live 17/02/2025 - Curious About Pay for Non-Standard Work Hours in Europe? Join the BARTIME Expert Meeting on Feb 18! 11/09/2024 - Save the Date: BARMETAL Final Conference on 20th September! 20/06/2024 - Only 20 Percent of Metal Industry CBAs Include Green Clauses! Explore More in Our Latest CBA Newsletter 02/04/2024 - Collective Agreements Newsletter: Learn About Compensation for Overtime Work and Weekend Shifts! 13/12/2023 - How is 🤖 AI at work addressed in collective agreements? 16/08/2023 - CBA Database Presented at ILO Conference | BARTIME and BARSERVICE Projects Approved 17/05/2023 - How Is AI Addressed at Work? | Join the Final BARCOVID Conference |
Funding acknowledgement | We thankfully acknowledge funding provided by the European Commission, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, Project No. 101052319 Disclaimer: The information and views set out in this page are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Union. Neither the European Union institutions and bodies nor any person acting on their behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein. |