PRESS STATEMENT IG Metall on the Works Council Modernization Act

Jörg Hofmann, President of IG Metall:

“It has been a long, rocky road leading up to today’s passage of the Works Council Modernization Act by the Cabinet. Now a significant part of the work has been accomplished, and we are very pleased about that. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Minister Heil, who has demonstrated that the protection of dedicated employees is a serious and sincere concern for him.

Nevertheless, there is still room for improvement. IG Metall will continue to advocate politically for the further development of co-determination rights and works council activities to enable effective representation of workers’ interests in the rapidly changing world of work.”

Christiane Benner, Second Chair of IG Metall:

“Democracy, co-determination, protection of workers—works council members embody all of these every day. IG Metall warmly welcomes the fact that they, along with workers who wish to establish a works council, will now receive greater legal protection and support. The Cabinet’s passage of the Works Council Modernization Act represents a modest strengthening of works councils—a first step in the right direction. Above all, the improved protection for election initiators, especially in the run-up to elections, is a success, but unfortunately it is not comprehensive enough. Thus, there is reason to fear that efforts to establish works councils will still fail because employers stuck in the past will put pressure on employees, even going so far as to unjustifiably terminate their employment. We will closely monitor whether the law fulfills its stated objectives in practice. Co-determination is indispensable for shaping the social impact of changes brought about by digitalization and new technologies. That is why the further modernization of works council rights is urgently needed. In its “Co-determination Initiative,” IG Metall therefore calls for effective co-determination regarding the future of company locations and the training of employees: “Strengthening works councils means strengthening democracy.”

Further information and press photos of Jörg Hofmann

Further information and press photos of Christiane Benner