According to the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), industry and employees in Germany are threatened with another crisis year at the turn of the year. “The situation is anything but relaxed,” said DGB leader Yasmin Fahimi to the German Press Agency in Berlin. “We are still in a crisis.”
It has become more difficult for many people to make ends meet. “They had to accept real losses of income.” This applies in particular to employees without the protection of a collective agreement. “Many also fear that their job is no longer safe.”
DGB is concerned about basic industries
Fahimi said: “This particularly affects the energy-intensive industries – the entire basic industry from the chemical industry to aluminum, iron, copper, steel, cement, paper and glass.” There are currently no signs that anything will change in 2024.
Fahimi criticized the fact that, as a reaction to the budget ruling from Karlsruhe, the federal government was allowing the state gas and electricity price brake to expire at the end of the year and not at the end of March as originally planned. “It is regrettable that the government has not agreed to extend the electricity price cap,” said the trade unionist. “That would have helped.”
“Location no longer attractive”
But even companies that are not so dependent on energy prices now often no longer see Germany as a location that is really attractive. “The critical issues are the lack of skilled workers, the insufficient level of digitalization, but also the doubts as to whether we will succeed in the transformation, especially in the energy sector,” said Fahimi.
In view of the government’s austerity measures as a result of the Karlsruhe ruling on the federal budget, Fahimi warned not to forego billions in investments. “This affects the social infrastructure, i.e. schools and daycare centers, the care and health system, the roads and all forms of mobility.” At the same time, the economy and society would have to be redesigned to be climate-neutral.
“This includes, for example, the expansion of power lines and the development of hydrogen networks. This includes new gas power plants as a reserve when sun and wind do not provide enough electricity. This also includes investing in an attractive public mobility system that also meaningfully connects rural areas. ” Fahimi therefore reiterated her demand to reform the debt brake. At least the government should set up a special fund for investments in infrastructure.
