Frankfurt am Main – A current survey among works councils from the IG Metall industries shows that many companies in Germany invest too little. Less than a third (30 percent) of the works councils surveyed sees sufficient investments in the companies to cope with the upcoming challenges of digitization and climate -neutral production. The automotive sector is particularly striking here: Here, only a fifth of the works council (20 percent) sees sufficient investments or planned.
Before concluding the coalition agreement, the affected companies cited unclear political framework, too little demand, too little demand and too high energy prices as the main reasons for too few investments. In the coalition agreement presented, a significant reduction in energy costs for companies, promoting electromobility and requirements for comprehensive investments are described as a project. The decided special fund for infrastructure is also intended to improve the situation for society and business.CHristiane Benner, first chairman of IG Metall: “The employees have always campaigned for good conditions for industry and thus their jobs. Now that they are described in many places in the coalition agreement, the companies have a planning basis and if we will be able to act quickly.”
According to Benner, companies have to take on responsibility for future -proof business models, investments and perspectives for the employees: “We see the seriousness of the situation. But we also see that future strategies are missing in numerous companies and that necessary investments are not made. Only calling less bureaucracy and lower labor costs is neither a strategy nor a solution.”
Most important set screws: investments and participation of the works councils
The connection between the refusal to invest and a lack of future strategy is striking. In companies with a future strategy, 36 percent of works councils see a lack of investments. In contrast, the investment refusal of companies without a strategy at 70 percent is almost twice as high. “This is a logical connection, but all the more dramatic when it comes to the future of companies,” said Benner.
Only 6 percent of the works councils in companies affected by adaptation pressure to their business area are involved in strategy development. A further 31 percent of the works councils are only partially involved. “Works councils usually know their company better than the management. Your knowledge, your knowledge, your often many years of experience should be used more often when it comes to the strategies. Employees can also be better involved when it comes to the future of your jobs. Wherever this takes place, it leads to a positive experience of democracy. Therefore, as experts, you have to be involved in your work,” says trade unionist Benner.
Further information and figures: In the IG Metall’s operating council survey, employee representatives from 2321 participated, which represent a total of over one million employees.72 percent of the companies surveyed can be assigned to the area of metal and electrical, and further include the industries craft, steel and IT services.