PRESS RELEASE Results on the phase-out of internal combustion engines and the pension package

Christiane Benner, President of IG Metall, on promoting electric mobility and regulating the auto industry:

“Politicians have reached an agreement; workers can breathe a sigh of relief. We’ve been pushing for this for a long time. A clear path to electric mobility coupled with greater flexibility must now provide certainty—especially for workers in the industry. Above all, these measures must have a positive impact on jobs. Existing jobs, such as those in the supplier industry, must be preserved. Future jobs, such as those in digitalization and battery manufacturing, must be created now.

Strengthening and supporting local production—from steel to suppliers to battery recycling—is exactly the right approach. Everyone must be able to afford electric mobility; subsidies are very welcome and necessary.

The transformation of our industries is taking place right now, at this very moment. And we therefore expressly welcome the fact that the extension of short-time work benefits will allow us to build valuable bridges to the future!”

Detailed Assessment: Automotive Industry: Assessment by the Coalition Committee

IG Metall Social Affairs Director Hans-Jürgen Urban on the future of pensions:

“It is good and right that pension levels are finally set to be stabilized. However, there is a looming deadline of 2031.

The time pressure now being imposed and the dominance of austerity and cutback measures in the commission’s mandate threaten to jeopardize adequate pensions in the long term. The goal must be to sustainably strengthen the statutory pension—as the most important pillar of retirement provision—for everyone and to include everyone. The focus of reform policy must be on strengthening the jointly funded statutory system for all generations.

In this context, the announcement that public funds will now be used to subsidize the private insurance industry is incomprehensible.”