PRESS RELEASE Works council members representing 2.4 million workers are calling for better relief on energy costs

In an urgent appeal, works council members are calling on the federal government to provide further relief from rising energy prices. Within four days, 8,100 works council members and employee representatives supported a petition organized by IG Metall. They represent 2.4 million workers in over 3,600 companies.

The employee representatives criticize the fact that workers with low and middle incomes, in particular, are suffering from rising energy costs. They are calling for tangible improvements to the existing energy relief packages.

Jörg Hofmann, President of IG Metall: “The federal government must take corrective action and do everything in its power to curb the rise in consumer prices. Workers need further, tangible assistance with energy costs quickly—the measures taken so far do not offset the current burdens. Price pressure is also being driven by speculatively inflated energy prices. We therefore call for an end to speculation and price gouging in energy, raw materials, and food.”

Specifically, the works councils, together with IG Metall, are calling for a temporary reduction in taxes on electricity and gas, as well as a gas price cap for consumption up to 8,000 kilowatt-hours. In addition, the federal government should introduce a socially equitable mobility allowance and support low- and middle-income households in particular with a higher basic exemption of 12,800 euros.

In addition to works council members, the IG Metall appeal is supported by elected members of youth trainee and severely disabled employee representative bodies, as well as union shop stewards.

IG Metall Appeal – Lower Energy Costs!

Further information and press photos of Jörg Hofmann