Berlin – Job security and good prospects in the digital workplace, a new labor market policy, a better work-life balance, and secure pensions are the key concerns of workers. These are the findings of Germany’s largest-ever worker survey. More than 681,241 workers from approximately 7,000 companies participated in the IG Metall survey “Policy for All – Secure, Fair, and Self-Determined” from mid-January through the end of February 2017. That was about 170,000 more workers than in the 2013 survey. Just under 40 percent of those surveyed are non-members.
“The tremendous turnout shows that workers want their wishes, concerns, and demands to be heard. They have a lot of faith in us at IG Metall. Anyone hoping to be elected in September cannot ignore the results of our survey,” said Jörg Hofmann, President of IG Metall, on Tuesday in Berlin.
Over 93 percent of respondents believe it is important to help shape the transition to Industry 4.0—just as IG Metall has been doing for years. Workers are wondering what role they will play in the new world of work and are demanding that the path toward tomorrow’s working society be safe and fair. This applies to all workers, regardless of their qualifications.
However, the weaker workers’ position in the labor market is, the greater their concerns about job security. This is another reason why 89 percent of those surveyed are calling for the abolition of fixed-term contracts without objective grounds, mini-jobs, and precarious solo self-employment.
To keep pace in the World of Work 4.0, better opportunities for training and qualifications for all workers are absolutely essential. “Secure jobs and education are the keys to good work 4.0. Because only those who don’t have to fear for their future can work well and creatively,” said the IG Metall chairman.
With an overwhelming majority of 93 percent, respondents also called for an education policy that opens up educational opportunities regardless of social background and guarantees a legally enshrined right to continuing vocational training. “Many people today are excluded from a fair chance at continuing education in their professional lives. A right of initiative for works councils to implement training measures is long overdue. The next federal government must finally take action here,” Hofmann demanded.
The IG Metall chairman warned politicians and employers against exploiting the upheavals in the world of work to erode workers’ rights. This applies in particular to the Working Hours Act. “Over 96 percent of respondents want a Working Hours Act that sets limits on working hours, even in the future. This includes the right to disconnect through legally mandated rest periods.”
Hofmann also took a critical view of the grand coalition’s unresolved issues: “The survey also urges the government to implement the remaining commitments from the coalition agreement. For example, 90 percent of employees are calling for a statutory right to return from part-time to full-time work.” For 92 percent of respondents, the issue of work-life balance is at the top of the agenda. And 84 percent support financial assistance for reducing working hours to help balance family and work.
“The message from employees is clear: It’s time for more fairness,” Hofmann emphasized. About 95 percent demand an end to the practice of employees paying higher health insurance premiums than employers. Employees also call for higher pension benefits (85 percent) and a requirement that employers provide company pension plans for all employees
(93 percent).
92 percent of those surveyed expect policymakers to provide greater protection for collective bargaining agreements.
“Only collective bargaining agreements guarantee fair and reliable pay and good working conditions. Without collective bargaining coverage, there is a risk of wage dumping—as seen in the misuse of service contracts. Policymakers must ensure that as many employees as possible are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Outsourcing must not be allowed to enable employers to avoid paying collectively bargained wages,” Hofmann demanded.
IG Metall will publish further results from the survey on working hours in mid-May.
Photo featuring Jörg Hofmann (Photographer: Steffen Jänicke) (JPG, 1165 KB)
