Frankfurt – IG Metall welcomes the federal government’s third relief package as an important step, but criticizes the relief effects as insufficient, especially for average households. Overall, too many aspects remained vague.
Jörg Hofmann, First Chairman of IG Metall: “The relief package presented today contains important decisions for citizens and companies. Nevertheless, it leaves many questions unanswered.
The aid for pensioners and students that has now been decided was overdue. Nevertheless, the traffic light stops halfway on important points: the electricity price brake is an important step, but it must be supplemented by a gas price cap. The traffic light here refers to a concept that is still to be developed. The traffic light also falls short when it comes to skimming off chance profits in the electricity market alone.
The relief for working people who have to travel long distances to work remains vague. The announced tax policy measures such as the tax exemption of 3000 euros in additional payments, for example through a tariff increase, can be a significant relief. Further steps to eliminate the cold progression are referred to the autumn.
In short: While effective relief was agreed for households with very low incomes, the direct relief effect for average households is insufficient and is subject to other conditions. This needs to be improved.”
IG Metall campaigned early on for further relief and started a nationwide signature campaign. More than 200,000 employees took part and supported the demands for a socially just third aid package, which was intended to focus in particular on pensioners, students and the unemployed. A cap on gas and electricity prices and a tax on excess profits are also among the demands that are now to be implemented, at least in part.