time over money german union cham
Last Updated : GMT 05:17:37
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice
Last Updated : GMT 05:17:37
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice

Time over money? German union cham

Emiratesvoice, emirates voice

Emiratesvoice, emirates voice Time over money? German union cham

Time over money? German union champions 28-hour work week
Dubai - Emirates Voice

Tens of thousands of German workers downed tools again on Thursday as the country's largest union stepped up its battle for the right to a 28-hour week.

With more strikes on the horizon, here's what you need to know about IG Metall's groundbreaking campaign to rethink the work-life balance -- and what it could mean for the rest of Germany.

- What do they want? -

IG Metall represents some 3.9 million workers in Germany's crucial metal and electrical engineering industries.

As in past industry-wide negotiations with employers, the union is pushing for a wage hike -- this time seeking a whopping six-percent increase.

But what stands out in the current showdown has been the emphasis on giving employees freedom to tailor their work hours to their personal lives.

The union wants all workers to have the option of switching from a 35- to a 28-hour week for a two-year period, with a guaranteed return to full-time work afterwards.

In certain cases -- and this has been the most headline-grabbing demand -- the union says employers should make up some of the salary loss that would result from clocking up fewer hours.

It wants those caring for young children or elderly relatives, for example, to receive an extra 200 euros (around $240) a month.

And shift workers or others whose working hours can weigh on health should be entitled to an additional 750 euros annually, it adds.

- What are the arguments for a shorter week? -

IG Metall says flexible working time has so far mainly benefited employers who got staff to put in longer days.

But with Europe's top economy humming and unemployment at a record-low, it believes the time is right for a radical shake-up.

"Workers aren't only workers, they have personal lives, children, old parents," Berlin IG Metall chief Olivier Hoebel told strikers at a demonstration on Monday. "Working life can't only be about sacrifice."

IG Metall believes its proposals would especially benefit women, large numbers of whom work part-time for family reasons and currently don't have an automatic way back to full-time employment when their situation changes.

- How have employers reacted? -

With a firm 'no'.

The Gesamtmetall employers' federation has predictably balked at the suggestion of paying staff extra to work less.

It has dismissed the proposals as "too costly" and "unfair" to those already in part-time work under less generous conditions.

It says introducing the compensation measure would be discriminatory and open companies up to legal action.

After two rounds of negotiations, employers have so far offered a two-percent wage increase, but no progress has been made on the 28-hour issue.

- What would be the impact? -

Where IG Metall goes, others tend to follow.

Europe's largest trade union was instrumental in pushing through a 35-hour work week in the 1990s, and employers across Germany are closely watching to see if the next labour revolution is around the corner.

Already the call for a shorter week has triggered heated debate about quality of life and the future of work in a world where jobs are increasingly automated.

Supporters have praised the union's proposals as "very modern" and said they could help companies hang on to their best and brightest.

But critics have countered that a reduced week could exacerbate a shortage of skilled workers, while smaller firms in particular might struggle to meet production targets.

"If it would be replicated throughout the economy, it could do serious damage," said Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg bank​.

Gesamtmetall estimates some 1.5 million workers would be eligible for the proposed compensation if they chose the 28-hour route. IG Metall however believes the actual take-up would be far lower.

- Where to go from here? -

Tensions were running high as a third round of talks began Thursday.

Mobilised by IG Metall, more than 250,000 workers took part in a series of hours-long "warning strikes" this week at hundreds of companies, including BMW, Daimler and Siemens, and more shutdowns were planned for Friday.

The union has vowed to go further by calling for day-long walkouts if the standoff continues, even threatening to stage its first nationwide, open-ended strike since 2003.

"If employers won't drop their veto stance and start talking to us about working time, we will have to bring out the big guns," said IG Metall chief Joerg Hofmann.

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

time over money german union cham time over money german union cham

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

time over money german union cham time over money german union cham

 



GMT 05:14 2024 Wednesday ,07 February

Sophisticated Classic Dining Room Design Ideas

GMT 12:47 2017 Thursday ,09 February

Furyk adjusts selection criteria for US Ryder Cup team

GMT 20:08 2017 Monday ,18 September

Dubai needs additional 1,000 hospital beds

GMT 20:13 2017 Tuesday ,19 September

Nadal maintains No.1 spot in ATP rankings

GMT 04:10 2017 Sunday ,24 December

Philippines storm death toll climbs to 182

GMT 12:40 2012 Wednesday ,15 August

Big snow in Eastern US cities

GMT 12:12 2012 Thursday ,17 May

Mark Zuckerberg created a seemingly perfect home

GMT 15:02 2017 Saturday ,17 June

Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE respond

GMT 22:51 2017 Tuesday ,24 January

At least 40 dead in battle for Yemen port

GMT 08:54 2016 Saturday ,17 December

Venezuela cash crisis sparks looting, protests

GMT 21:21 2017 Tuesday ,07 February

Opposition leader says Zambia should stay in ICC

GMT 09:00 2017 Saturday ,07 October

Sarin used in Syria 5 days before Khan Sheikhun

GMT 23:01 2017 Friday ,17 March

Saudi cleric banned from Twitter

GMT 08:05 2012 Saturday ,28 July

2 bombs defused in Aden

GMT 09:02 2017 Thursday ,26 October

Crown Prince briefed on Ministry of Infrastructure
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice
 
 Emirates Voice Facebook,emirates voice facebook  Emirates Voice Twitter,emirates voice twitter Emirates Voice Rss,emirates voice rss  Emirates Voice Youtube,emirates voice youtube  Emirates Voice Youtube,emirates voice youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

emiratesvoieen emiratesvoiceen emiratesvoiceen emiratesvoiceen
emiratesvoice emiratesvoice emiratesvoice
emiratesvoice
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
emiratesvoice, Emiratesvoice, Emiratesvoice