Press Release Relief Package: An Important Step in the Right Direction, but Many Unanswered Questions

Frankfurt – IG Metall welcomes the federal government’s third relief package as an important step in the right direction, but criticizes the relief measures as insufficient, particularly for average households. Overall, too many aspects remain vague.

Jörg Hofmann, President of IG Metall:“The relief package presented today sets an important course for citizens and businesses alike. Nevertheless, it leaves many questions unanswered.

The aid now approved for retirees and students was long overdue. Nevertheless, the “traffic light” coalition is stopping halfway on key points: The electricity price cap is an important step, but it must be supplemented by a gas price cap. Here, the coalition refers to a concept that has yet to be developed. The coalition also falls short when it comes to capturing windfall profits in the electricity market alone.

Relief for working people with long commutes remains vague. The announced tax measures—such as the tax exemption of 3,000 euros on additional payments, for example due to a wage increase—could provide significant relief. Further steps to eliminate “cold progression” are slated for the fall.

In short: While effective relief measures have been agreed upon for households with very low incomes, the immediate relief for average households is insufficient and tied to additional conditions. Improvements are needed here.”

IG Metall had advocated for further relief measures early on and launched a nationwide petition campaign in support of them. More than 200,000 workers participated and supported the demands for a socially just third relief package that would focus in particular on retirees, students, and the unemployed. A cap on gas and electricity prices and a tax on windfall profits were also among the demands that are now to be implemented, at least in part.