IG Metall chairwoman Christiane Benner commented on the results of the coalition committee on the end of combustion engines and short-time work benefits:
Politicians agree, employees breathe a sigh of relief. We’ve been pushing for this for a long time. A clear path to electromobility with simultaneous flexibility must now provide security – especially for employees in industry. The measures must first and foremost have a positive effect on jobs. Existing jobs, such as in the supply industry, must be preserved. Future ones, such as in digitalization and battery production, must be created now.
Strengthening and supporting local production, from steel to suppliers to battery recycling, is exactly the right thing to do. Everyone must be able to afford electromobility; funding is very welcome and necessary.
The transformation of our industries is happening right now. And we expressly welcome the fact that the extension of short-time work benefits can build valuable bridges into the future!
IG Metall social director Hans-Jürgen Urban comments on the results of the coalition committee on the future of pensions:
“It is good and right that the pension level should finally be stabilized. However, there is a threat of an expiry date of 2031.
The time pressure now formulated and the dominance of austerity and cuts issues in the commission’s mandate threaten to pose a risk to adequate pensions in the long term. The aim must be to sustainably strengthen the statutory pension as the most important pillar of retirement provision for everyone and to include everyone. The reform policy focus must be on strengthening the equally financed, legal system for all generations.
In this context, the announcement that public funds will now be used to promote the private insurance industry is incomprehensible.”