Berlin – On March 1, works council elections will begin in approximately 28,000 companies across Germany. To kick off the elections, IG Metall brought together works council members, politicians, academics, and representatives of civil society at its co-determination conference in Berlin to discuss the current challenges facing co-determination.
In his opening remarks, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier emphasized the importance of co-determination: “Co-determination means that workers are not merely recipients of orders. Co-determination is about respect; it gives people a voice of their own and empowers them to help shape this society—not just in the workplace.”
IG Metall sees a major challenge for co-determination, particularly in the context of transformation. German industry is currently undergoing fundamental change. This socio-ecological transformation can only be successfully shaped through a modern and effective system of co-determination. This urgently requires reforms to the Works Constitution Act that grant works council members greater say, especially in strategic decisions. Christiane Benner, Second Chair of IG Metall, emphasized: “Our works council members are committed to ensuring good and secure jobs in a time of great change. To do so, they must also be able to intervene proactively and be involved, for example, when it comes to investments in locations, training, or future-proof products.”
At the conclusion of the event, Wolfgang Schmidt, Minister in the Federal Chancellery, and Jörg Hofmann, President of IG Metall, highlighted the central role of co-determination in the socio-ecological transformation.
Wolfgang Schmidt highlighted the challenges posed by decarbonization. The coalition has committed to “shaping the upcoming transformation with ambitious climate protection and social equity.”
Jörg Hofmann, President of IG Metall, said: “A new social security pledge must be at the very top of the to-do list. There must be no transformation-related layoffs by 2030.” That is why new instruments are needed now, such as the transformation or training short-time work allowance, which enables employees to gain the qualifications needed for other jobs within their own company or at another company. With an eye toward the upcoming works council elections, Hofmann emphasized: “The challenges posed by the transformation can only be overcome with good and committed works council members.”
In various panel discussions featuring Prof. Dr. Kerstin Jürgens from the University of Kassel, climate activist Luisa Neubauer, and Prof. Dr. Lisa Herzog from the University of Groningen, all the experts expressed their conviction that a secure, livable, and democratic future can only be shaped through strong co-determination and the participation of employees and society.
Works council elections are held every four years and form an essential foundation of co-determination in Germany. The positive effects of co-determination have been scientifically proven many times over. Companies with co-determination are more sustainable, perform better financially, and are more resilient during crises. Those who experience participation and a voice in the workplace have a fundamentally more positive attitude toward the democratic system.
