Christiane Benner, First Chairwoman of IG Metall: “It is good that the federal government is acting now and wants to extend the duration of short-time work benefits from 12 to 24 months. Numerous companies in different sectors are currently in difficult times and short-time work is increasing. Locations and jobs are threatened. The extension gives employees some security. And it helps to retain skilled workers.”
Hans-Jürgen Urban, board member of IG Metall responsible for social policy: “It is the task of the welfare state to offer stability in difficult times and to build bridges to the world of tomorrow. The extension of the benefit period makes a necessary, but certainly not sufficient, contribution to this. The impending crisis on the labor market cannot be prevented simply by extending the benefit period. And companies must also do their part, avoid mass layoffs and develop sustainable and future-proof products. Companies that need a little more time for this will be supported with the regulation now planned.”