DGB action day against social cuts: trade unions and politics in dispute

With a nationwide day of action today, the German Federation of Trade Unions (DGB) is protesting against cuts in social benefits. DGB boss Yasmin Fahimi reiterated her criticism of the federal government's planned reforms in advance.

The measures were at the expense of the employees and did not fundamentally change the structure of the social systems, said Fahimi on Deutschlandfunk. Rather, more investment in infrastructure and more growth are required. The DGB leader further criticized the federal government for discrediting employees and accusing them of not working enough.

Regarding the crisis in the automotive industry, she said a different focus was needed in politics. It has to be about protecting the EU internal market, it has to be about growth and not simply about the question of how to reduce costs so that companies save money to invest elsewhere.

On the question of health insurance, Fahimi emphasized that the DGB wanted reforms, including in social insurance. The reform of statutory health insurance is not about changing the structures.

Lower Saxony's head of government is calling for corrections

Lower Saxony's Prime Minister Olaf Lies (SPD) is calling for corrections to the federal government's reform package. This must be socially cushioned. "The vast majority of the reform package remains in place. But you can't just push your head against the wall and implement reforms for which there is no acceptance," Lies told the "Handelsblatt".

For example, Lies spoke out against abolishing the pension without deductions after 45 years of contributions. “Anyone who currently has 45 years of contributions should be able to retire earlier than someone without these years,” said the SPD politician. "It annoys me when I get the impression that it doesn't matter how long someone has been paying in. That's indecent towards people who go to work despite having less money."

The pension reform is being rejected by several state governments. Among other things, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD) criticized the plans as unfair.

Schweitzer: Reforms must be fair

The deputy SPD chairman Alexander Schweitzer is also calling for changes to the reform course of Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU). “For Friedrich Merz, reforms mean that growth can only come about through cuts in the welfare state,” Schweitzer told the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung.” But reforms must be fair and everyone must make their contribution. "Instead, the Chancellor breathes the cold neoliberal spirit of the 1990s."

The DGB rallies under the motto: "Hard earned! Your work. Your health. Your pension" are taking place in 15 major cities, including Bremen, Hamburg, Leipzig, Magdeburg, Nuremberg and Stuttgart. Thousands of participants are expected. The Left Party is taking part in the campaign and, according to its own statements, wants to support it "with its own blocks, feeder demonstrations and speeches".

BDA accuses DGB of “ritual refusal to reform”.

Germany's employers are sharply criticizing the DGB's day of action. “The unions say no to almost every change,” said the general manager of the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA), Steffen Kampeter, to the German Press Agency. "You dream of the world of yesterday."

Kampeter accused the DGB of “ritual refusal to reform”. Everyone wanted secure pensions, good care and efficient health care, said Kampeter. "But demographics, skills shortages and international competition cannot be explained away."