DGB leader Fahimi voices disapproval towards proposed standard 12-hour work schedules - Shift leader Fahimi voices opposition to proposed standard twelve-hour work schedule
The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) has voicedcriticism towards the government's plans for regular 12-hour shifts, with chairperson Yasmin Fahimi deeming the proposals as unrealistic. In an interview with a newspaper, Fahimi expressed concerns over the potential impact on employees' health, particularly for those not covered by collective agreements, which now account for half of the workforce.
Moreover, Fahimi issued a warning to employers and the chairwoman of the Minimum Wage Commission, Christiane Schoenefeld, against preventing a significant increase in the statutory minimum wage from 2026. Fahimi reminded the commission of the last impasse, in which Schoenefeld appeared to favor employers, and voiced the DGB's expectation for a consensus-reaching approach this time around. If mutual agreement cannot be reached, the government will need to ponder its potential intervention.
The Minimum Wage Commission aims to establish the minimum wage for 2026 by the end of June. The proposed figure is an increase from the current 12.82 euros per hour and aligns with the coalition agreement between Union and SPD, which envisages a minimum wage of 15 euros by 2026. Fahimi anticipates a substantial boost in the minimum wage in the near future.
Further, Fahimi reiterated her call for a long-term pension level stabilization for all generations, set at a minimum of 48 percent of the net average income. Measures such as a higher tax subsidy for pension insurance, the reintroduction of the wealth tax, and the inclusion of the self-employed in pension insurance have been suggested to finance such an initiative.
Fahimi emphasized that the societal challenge of an aging population should not solely be borne by the current workforce but rather addressed collaboratively. In doing so, she brought up the need for a collective solution to overcome the "baby boomer effect."
DGBYasmin FahimiMinimum WageRheinische PostEmployersBerlinSchoenefeld
- Yasmin Fahimi, chairperson of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), has critiqued the government's proposals for regular 12-hour shifts in an interview with the Rheinische Post, expressing reservations about the potential consequences for employees' health, especially those not covered by collective agreements, which now constitute half of the workforce.
- In her discussion with employers and the chairwoman of the Minimum Wage Commission, Christiane Schoenefeld, Fahimi has also urged for a significant increase in the statutory minimum wage from 2026, citing concerns about the last impasse and emphasizing the DGB's desire for a consensus-driven approach to ensure a fair wage increase.
- In addition to wage issues, Fahimi has called for a long-term pension level stabilization for all generations, proposing options such as a higher tax subsidy for pension insurance, the reintroduction of the wealth tax, and the inclusion of the self-employed in pension insurance to finance the initiative, and emphasizing that the societal challenge of an aging population should be addressed collaboratively to counteract the "baby boomer effect".
