PRESS STATEMENT The new Heating Act must safeguard jobs in industry and the skilled trades

Jürgen Kerner, Second Chair: “The excessive, and at times unfounded, criticism of the Heating Act by the Union parties while the traffic-light coalition was still in power—and the subsequent stalemate—has caused great uncertainty in the industry. According to our surveys, over 5,000 workers in the heating industry alone lost their jobs during this period. That is why it is good that the law is finally being enacted.

In substance, however, the law does not represent real progress. We fear that the announced openness to all technologies and the lifting of the usage restriction for boilers over 30 years old will further delay necessary investments. Green alternatives, such as hydrogen in particular, are urgently needed in the industry but pose significant price risks for tenants and consumers in the building sector. We will hold the government accountable to ensure that the new law safeguards production and jobs—and does not destroy more of them.”

Nadine Boguslawski, Executive Board Member for Collective Bargaining and Skilled Trades: “An open approach to technology must not mean aimlessness and procrastination. Employees in skilled trades businesses need clarity and certainty regarding the technologies, skills, and subsidies we intend to use to achieve climate protection. Any lack of clarity threatens to cause an investment backlog, uncertainty, and a delayed heating transition. IG Metall expects the new law to provide clear guidelines that also strengthen the skilled trades sector and its workers. Climate protection in the building sector is urgently needed and requires reliability—socially, technologically, and financially.”

Further information and press photos of Jürgen Kerner

Further information and press photos of Nadine Boguslawski