Press Release No. 28/2018 Christiane Benner Calls for a Broad Alliance to Shape the Digital Transformation

Cologne – Christiane Benner, Second Chair of IG Metall, has called on employers and policymakers to work together with IG Metall to shape the societal upheaval expected as a result of digitalization. The union leader criticized employers’ lack of concrete plans: “More than two-thirds of managers say they have no idea what digitalization will mean for their workplaces. That is negligent! That’s why every workplace needs a detailed strategic plan for digitalization. Every employee has the right to know what lies ahead for them. We won’t let employers shirk their responsibility,” Benner said Tuesday at the May 1 rally in Cologne.

It is important to build trust among people. Employees must not be left to fend for themselves, and the unions must also be included at the table. “Good jobs and as many winners as possible—that’s important for democracy and social cohesion in our society,” Benner emphasized. That is why the government must also fulfill its responsibility and support people in their continuing education. “Shaping the digital transition must become a major joint project involving the government, employers, and unions, and it must be accompanied by broad-based training programs,” the union leader demanded. “The Employment Agency must evolve into an agency for employment and training.” The agency should provide assistance and offer appropriate continuing education opportunities. Maintaining and expanding the skills of job seekers must take priority over rapid job placement.

The vice chair of IG Metall also urged the government to finally enshrine in law the right to return from part-time to full-time work without any thresholds. For many women, being stuck in part-time work means a career setback or leads them into a dead end from which they cannot easily escape. “Hundreds of thousands of women and men are waiting for one of the major equality and justice initiatives of our time to finally come to fruition.” The law is also important for closing the pay gap, she noted, pointing out that the average pay gap between women and men still stands at 21 percent. Equality policy remains hard work even in the 21st century. That is why Benner called on both men and women to work together for equality in line with the May 1 motto: “Justice can only be achieved because we are diverse and stand together in solidarity!”