Berlin – IG Metall calls on the federal government and employers to a committed and reliable social policy. “The welfare state is worth more than it costs,” emphasized IG Metall board member Hans-Jürgen Urban at the Union’s Congress in Berlin. Over 200 works councils and representatives from politics and science discussed the future of the welfare state and passed an agenda for more distribution and opportunities for distribution.
According to a representative survey among IG Metall members, 89 percent see major problems in the German welfare state. Only each and every second (51 %) is satisfied with personal social security. Above all, the union members expect that the state ensures social peace and creates equality of opportunities (96 %each), performance is rewarded (95 %) as well as weaker and weaker (93 %).
“The welfare state is not a ballast, but a stability anchor in times of change – economically, socially and democratic. Those who weaken it endangers social cohesion,” said Urban. IG Metall therefore calls for an offensive social policy that guarantees security, participation and justice.
IG Metall members demand solidarity financing from and with all
For a solid financing of the welfare state, IG Metall members expect the inclusion of all professional groups in social security (98 %), a reform of the contribution assessment limits (89 %) as well as the greater use of high income and wealthy (87 %). For almost two thirds (62 %), higher social security contributions or taxes would be okay if it would also face better services.
The focus of the IG Metal claims is better protection if unemployment is impressive due to short-time work and a stable and improved statutory pension. Urban emphasized that twelve months of unemployment benefit in the face of economic change are not sufficient. Those who have paid for a long time have to be better protected. In addition, the citizenship benefit should not be attacked as a social lower limit, but is to be further developed into a basic solidarity. IG Metall demands massive investments in social infrastructure – especially in daycare, nursing and education. “It was saved for too long. Now the time for investments in the future is,” said Urban.
“No arbitrary lids in the social contributions”
Employers are also responsible. “If you want and need economic change, you have to secure employment and enable qualification,” said Urban. The union calls for the right to initial vocational training for all young people and a future fund for training. In addition, employers must adequately participate in the financing of the welfare state – through reliable and equally financed social contributions. Urban: “Discussions about arbitrary covering in the social contributions of the employers must stop. Profit maximization must not be made at the expense of social participation.”
In principle, IG Metall calls for a fairer distribution of the loads. High income and large fortune should contribute more to the financing of the welfare state. Urban also called for the abolition of debt brake and higher tax grants for the social security systems in order to actually cover non -insurance services – such as the mother’s pension in pension insurance.
“The welfare state is not a burden, but an investment in our common future,” summarized Urban. “Now is the time to set the course again – for security, justice and social progress.”
Note: You can find the wording of the agenda adopted at the Social State Congress for download here.