For wage developments to contribute to an employment-friendly policy mix, the social partners should continue to pursue a responsible course and conclude wage agreements in Member States in line with the general principles set out in previous broad economic policy guidelines: ... real wage increases in relation to labour productivity growth should take into account the need to strengthen, where necessary, and subsequently maintain the profitability of capacity enhancing and employment-creating investment. This implies that in countries where overall labour productivity growth is slowing down, the scope for real wage increases will be reduced. More specifically, a reduction in working time should not lead to an increase in real unit labour costs.
