Berlin – In view of the rapidly increasing energy prices and imminent supply bottlenecks, the chairmen of the three industrial unions in the DGB see jobs in Germany at risk in the medium term. Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, which IG Metall, IG BCE and IG BAU sharply condemned, is driving energy prices in Germany to dangerous levels, which is endangering Germany as an industrial location. At a press conference in Berlin, the trade union leaders called on the federal government to take short-term measures in addition to medium- and long-term changes in energy policy in order to cushion the burden on particularly energy-intensive sectors and thus secure jobs. Specifically, the unions are demanding, among other things, liquidity aid, the possibility of short-time work and a reduction in VAT on electricity (to the full position paper).
Jörg Hofmann, First Chairman of IG Metall:
“Closed value chains are of fundamental importance for Europe as a business location. As a basic industry, the steel industry is at the beginning of this value chain and, together with the processing industry, secures the industrial basis. That is why it is crucial for the preservation of good jobs – far beyond the steel industry – to find an industrial policy answer to the threateningly rising energy prices now. There should be no bans on thinking. We call on the federal government to seriously examine, for example, liquidity aid for companies that are particularly affected and the protection of employees in the event of production cutbacks due to excessive energy costs.
Michael Vassiliadis, Chairman of the IG BCE:
“Now we have to drive very carefully on sight and use all the energy capacity we have left. It is important to maintain the production of important goods such as everyday life, the energy transition or the urgently needed housing construction. Exploding energy prices, but above all a possible gas embargo, would hit energy-intensive industry – the mother of the industrial network – hard. The consequences would not only be short-time work and job losses, but also the rapid collapse of the industrial production chains in Europe – with worldwide consequences. It must be the goal of all of us to avert that.”
Robert Feiger, Federal Chairman of IG BAU:
“An efficient lime and cement industry is indispensable as the basis for the entire construction and finishing industry with its around 3.4 million employees. However, the production of lime and cement is very energy-intensive. In order to keep the construction industry running, the federal government must do everything possible to ensure the energy supply even in the current crisis situation and, if necessary, to cushion extreme increases in energy prices. Even in these uncertain times, the construction industry is once again proving to be a safety anchor. For example, it was a real economic engine for the German economy during the pandemic. In a way, the construction industry is also systemically relevant, because, for example, housing construction must be intensified even more in view of the refugees arriving from Ukraine.”