Stuttgart – “There is no such thing as ‘Human 4.0’ who works around the clock and is infinitely flexible depending on market demands. Even in the age of digitalization, workers want to live and work in a safe, fair, and self-determined way,” said Jörg Hofmann, President of IG Metall, in his May 1 speech on Monday in Stuttgart. A new labor market policy, better work-life balance, and secure pensions are the key demands workers are making of policymakers. This is the conclusion reached by Germany’s largest-ever worker survey. More than 680,000 workers from approximately 7,000 companies participated in IG Metall’s survey, “Policy for Everyone—Secure, Fair, and Self-Determined,” which took place from mid-January through the end of February 2017.
“The overwhelming turnout shows that workers want their wishes, concerns, and demands to be heard. And they trust IG Metall. They know that we not only listen but also take action and address their concerns. But one thing is also clear: Anyone who wants to be elected in September cannot ignore the results of our survey,” said Hofmann.
Over 93 percent of respondents are calling for security and career prospects in the workplace of tomorrow. “Secure jobs and better educational opportunities for everyone 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.
“The upheavals in the world of work must therefore not be misused to erode workers’ rights. This applies in particular to the Working Hours Act,” Hofmann warned, addressing policymakers and employers. “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.”
The union leader expressed concern about the rise of right-wing populism in Europe and Germany. “The project of European integration is at stake. The challenges ahead can only be overcome by all Europeans working together, in keeping with the May 1 motto, ‘We are many. We are one,’” said Hofmann. “A strong Europe—not a retreat behind national borders—offers the opportunity, in a globalized world, to live out the values of solidarity, justice, and social cohesion. We must formulate convincing responses to people’s concerns. It is partly up to us whether right-wing populist slogans find a hearing. The labor movement bears a great responsibility in this regard.”
This is all the more true in light of the upheavals in the world of work. “The digitization of products and processes opens up enormous potential for streamlining across all industries. Ensuring that these productivity gains are invested in good jobs and new employment in Germany and Europe—and do not simply translate into corporate profits—is a challenge for society and for the labor movement,” said Hofmann.
This also requires a government capable of taking action—one that invests in education, necessary infrastructure, and good jobs in the public sector. “We need a shift in fiscal policy. This involves greater fairness in the tax system through higher taxation of very high incomes, wealth, and inheritances, but also a bold budgetary policy. Germany needs investments in the future,” said the IG Metall chairman.
