Union IG Metall temporarily shelved the proposal for a four-day workweek. - IG Metall abandons push for four-day work week.
IG Metall Suspends Demand for Four-Day Week Due to Economic Challenges
In an interview with the "Bild" newspaper, Christiane Benner, chairwoman of IG Metall, Germany's powerful metalworkers' union, announced that a four-day workweek with full pay compensation is not currently a demand. Despite this temporary pause, Benner expressed a continued belief in the idea's practicality.
Amidst the economic struggles experienced by many companies, Benner pointed out that employers are currently the ones reducing working hours, often at the expense of employees.
Businesses Express Concern Over Four-Day Week Implementation
In a survey conducted by the employer-friendly German Institute of Economic Research (IW) in Cologne, 94% of the 823 surveyed companies stated that a comprehensive introduction of a four-day week with full pay compensation would result in lost productivity. Nearly 70% also feared that work would accumulate, potentially leading to Germany's loss of a competitive edge internationally.
IG Metall has often criticized companies for lacking future strategies and failing to make necessary investments that secure jobs. "We recognize the gravity of the situation," Benner commented, "but many companies are lacking future-oriented strategies."
IG MetallChristiane BennerBerlinBild newspaper
- Christiane Benner, from IG Metall,β believes that vocational training is crucial for EC countries to be competitive in industry and business, as she advocates for increased investment in these areas to secure future job prospects.
- Despite financial challenges, some industries in EC countries could benefit from vocational training programs, ensuring that employees have the necessary skills for business growth, thereby contributing to higher productivity and a competitive edge internationally.
