PRESS STATEMENT Wolfgang Lemb: “I’m missing the workers’ perspective”

Commenting on the annual report presented today by the Commissioner for Eastern Germany on the status of German unity , Wolfgang Lemb, Executive Board Member of IG Metall, said :

“The positive developments in the convergence of living standards between East and West—for example, in wages and pensions—are encouraging. The recent investment decisions by some manufacturers of new technologies, such as in the field of electric mobility, also offer opportunities for positive economic development.

But a few highly automated battery factories and an American investor in the Brandenburg Heath—who, by the way, needs some coaching on the subject of co-determination—do not yet make for thriving regions. A sustainable economy needs sustainable jobs that offer “Good Work”: jobs with co-determination and covered by collective bargaining agreements. The perspective of employees—especially during this period of transformation—must be given greater priority. If employees are not brought along for the ride, the transformation cannot succeed. This, too, is a lesson learned from the transformation that took place in the immediate post-reunification period. To develop new business models in today’s transformation, investment, increased R&D capacity in eastern Germany, and the training of the workforce are crucial. These are also important prerequisites for further convergence.”  
 

Further information and press photos of Wolfgang Lemb