BERLIN- German services sector trade union Verdi called for strong pay increases after official data published on Thursday showed inflation accelerated by more than expected to hit a 13-year-high in July.

"We need strong wage increases for employees precisely because of rising prices," Verdi deputy chair Andrea Kocsis told Reuters.

(Reporting by Rene Wagner Writing by Paul Carrel Editing by Madeline Chambers) ((paul.carrel@thomsonreuters.com))