PRESS RELEASE 1,400 euros more per month for women—with a collective bargaining agreement

Frankfurt am Main – A special analysis by the Federal Statistical Office for IG Metall on the metal and electrical industry shows that in companies in the metal and electrical industry (M+E) covered by collective bargaining agreements, the pay gap between women and men is significantly smaller. There, it stands at 11 percent, while in companies not covered by collective bargaining agreements, it is 18 percent.  

Pay figures also clearly demonstrate how much women benefit from collective bargaining agreements: Women covered by a collective bargaining agreement in the M+E industry earn 9.65 euros more per hour than women not covered by such an agreement. On average, this translates to 1,400 euros more per month for women covered by an M+E collective bargaining agreement than for those who are not.  

Christiane Benner, President of IG Metall, emphasizes the significance of this on today’s Equal Pay Day: “Women benefit greatly from good collective bargaining agreements. And we as a society benefit when more women work. The pay gap—which receives special attention on Equal Pay Day—must close more quickly if we want more women in the workforce—a no-brainer in times of a skilled labor shortage!”  

But collective bargaining agreements aren’t the only factor in attracting more women to the workforce. Above all, good and reliable child care is crucial. With a current shortage of approximately 400,000 child care spots, Germany is far from having an adequate child care system. Family-friendly policies, however, begin much earlier. To involve the other parent in shared childcare as early as possible, the planned “Family Start Period” is a sensible measure. Under this program, parents should be able to take paid leave during the first two weeks after a birth.  

Christiane Benner has a clear message for policymakers on this issue: “For gender equality, it’s truly important that the ‘Family Start Period’ be implemented quickly. For the other parent—usually the father—it must be clear: I can care for my child from the very beginning; I am an equal parent. This has a long-term impact!”  

Christiane Benner praises the plans to abolish income tax brackets 3 and 5. “This is a good measure for gender equality. If lower incomes—often those of women—are taxed differently so that more is left over each month, this can be a good incentive for women to increase their working hours. It also raises awareness of income disparities—and hopefully fosters a different sense of income equity.”