Frankfurt am Main – Detlef Wetzel, President of IG Metall, has called for more democracy, greater participation, and better life opportunities to create a more just society. “More participation, more co-determination, more justice—this demand is gaining momentum all over the world,” Wetzel said Monday at IG Metall’s 6th Extraordinary Union Congress in Frankfurt. IG Metall is part of this global movement for greater justice.
“We have changed in order to remain successful,” said Wetzel. The benchmark for IG Metall’s policies, he explained, is the fundamental demands of workers: secure and fair work, a worry-free retirement, a bright future for children, the ability to balance work and life, and a more just and environmentally sustainable society. These, he said, are the demands of all workers. From steelworkers to development engineers, from contract workers to permanent employees—IG Metall covers the full diversity of the modern world of work.
Good life opportunities for all people must become the guiding principle of politics. It is time to write a new chapter in the social market economy. “All people have a legitimate right to social participation and a dignified existence,” said Wetzel. This requires an active and proactive state that offers tools and support at every stage of life, thereby enabling opportunities for a good life and social mobility.
Not only must politicians listen to the people; employees also need an effective voice within companies. “Democracy in a society is only complete and vibrant when democracy also prevails in the workplace,” said Wetzel. IG Metall therefore calls for more workplace co-determination—for example, regarding temporary work, service contracts, and outsourcing—as well as more opportunities for individual participation. “It should go without saying that those affected should be made participants,” said Wetzel. He also noted that a right for unions to file class-action lawsuits and expanded rights for employee participation in small and medium-sized enterprises are long overdue. “Let me be clear: We don’t have too much co-determination—we have too little,” said Wetzel.
Wetzel clearly rejected wage dumping and two- or three-tier workforces. In terms of collective bargaining policy, IG Metall is committed to ensuring that collective bargaining agreements apply to all employees along the value chain. “All workers in our union’s scope of representation must be able to say: I have an IG Metall collective bargaining agreement!” said Wetzel.
To ensure good life opportunities for future generations as well, Germany must invest more in its future. Wetzel called for massive investments in environmental protection, the energy transition, continuing education, child care, as well as education, research, and development. Not only the government but also companies have a responsibility to act. “We expect companies that are making good profits to invest more in the future than they have in the past,” said Wetzel. Germany must focus on “better-rather-than-cheaper strategies”—that is, fair labor and outstanding products instead of dumping wages. The wealthy members of society must finally contribute their fair share to financing the public good, Wetzel explained.
The idea of self-determined citizens in the workplace and sustainable investments in the future must not be limited to Germany. “We need a reconstruction program for Europe; we need investments in jobs, the environment, health, and education,” Wetzel demanded. A European citizens’ initiative for a more social and just Europe is an option for all social groups and individuals to exert influence at this juncture. “Nothing less than the future of Europe is at stake. It’s worth every effort,” said Wetzel.
