A clear majority of MPs support a ‘substantial rise’ in minimum wage levels for the under-23s, news agency ANP says on Wednesday.

MPs say the minimum wage for youngsters should be increased towards the level of the adult minimum wage. Currently an 18-year-old on minimum pay earns €31.66 a day before tax and premiums. The over-22s earn €69.59.

The Liberal democratic party D66 submitted a motion to parliament calling on social affairs minister Lodewijk Asscher to draw up proposals for an increase. That motion was backed by the Socialists, GroenLinks, Labour and ChristenUnie.

‘It is ridiculous that someone who is 18 only earns 45% of the wage of a 23-year-old even though they are technically adults,’ D66 parliamentarian Steven van Weyenberg told ANP.

Unions have been calling for an increase in the minimum wage for the past few months and have handed a petition containing 130,000 signatures to Asscher calling for change.