Press Release No. 31/2015 IG Metall for job security, stable income, and opportunities for professional development

Lübeck – “Job security, stable income, opportunities for professional development, and a healthy transition to retirement: these are the everyday challenges for which workers expect solutions,” said Jörg Hofmann, Second Chair of IG Metall, summarizing the May 1 motto, “We Shape the Future of Work.” Employment, he noted, remains the central linchpin of this society. Excessive working hours, the expansion of shift work, and the forfeiture of working hours are leading to increasing stress and pressure to perform among workers. “It is unacceptable that working hours are simply forfeited or capped. Recognizing the value of work begins with recording and compensating for it,” said Hofmann.

This applies especially to those at the very bottom of the income scale, who now finally have the right to a minimum wage. The introduction of the minimum wage has benefited 3.7 million workers who were previously fobbed off with dumping wages of less than 8.50 euros per hour. “This allows more people to make a living from the work of their hands and no longer have to rely on additional support,” said Hofmann. The employers’ attacks on the documentation requirements are a transparent attempt to erect protective barriers under the pretext of bureaucracy in order to continue depriving workers of their fair wages. “It’s cringe-worthy to hear what the representatives of employers’ associations are spouting here.”

Objections based on factual grounds—such as issues defining the scope of volunteer work—could clearly be resolved. He called on the federal government to “finally increase staffing at the Financial Control of Illegal Employment Agency so that effective inspections are possible.”

Decent pay is a given when it comes to valuing work. An active collective bargaining policy contributes to shaping the modern world of work. “Good collective bargaining agreements ensure that employees share fairly in economic success,” said the union representative. This contributes to greater distributive justice in society. “Good work and good pay are only possible with collective bargaining agreements.” This also includes working hours guaranteed by collective bargaining agreements that are tailored to people’s life stages. He referred to his proposal to allow for shorter working hours for child care, continuing education, or caring for family members in need of care. “Policymakers can establish the necessary framework by exempting wage compensation payments from taxes and social security contributions,” said the union representative.

Hofmann called on the federal government to implement the pending labor market reforms regarding service contracts and temporary agency work. He pointed out that the demanded reforms are part of the coalition agreements. This also includes granting works councils the right to information. “The abuse of service contracts must be stopped once and for all,” said the union leader.

“We are shaping the future of work”—this means recognizing the transformation of work against the backdrop of current trends and megatrends and shaping it for and with employees. He called for a new policy of humanization to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the digitization of the world of work. “Education and training are key issues here. In the last round of collective bargaining in the metal and electrical industry, we provided an initial answer to what continuing education might look like in the future through the collective bargaining agreement on part-time education,” said Hofmann.