Germany
Background information on industrial relations in Germany
- 03 May 2012
Germany: German labour market in stable conditionIn March 2012 the Institute for Employment Research released data that show measures used to combat the global financial and economic crisis are no longer needed to stabilise the German labour market. The number of short-time workers has plummeted since 2009, and the trend of reducing hours accumulated in employees’ working time accounts has stopped. However, despite a comparatively low unemployment rate of 7.4%, the social partners are divided on current developments.
- 03 May 2012
Germany: Metalworkers’ union halts decline in membershipThe latest figures from the Confederation of German Trade Unions (DGB) show that membership among its affiliated trade unions fell by 0.6% in 2011. Compared to previous years, this shows a marked slowdown in the decline. The most significant development was that the metalworkers’ union, IG Metall, DGB’s largest affiliate, finally managed to halt its decline and to record a small growth of 0.3%. Some affiliates have successfully recruited new members, including young workers.
- 24 Apr 2012
Germany: Germany: Employment and Industrial Relations in the Hotels and Restaurants sectorThe key challenge to Hotels and Restaurants in recent years was the effects of the economic and financial crisis between 2008 and 2010. The crisis hit the whole sector with the exception of fast food catering. Employment levels, however, increased between 2007 and 2010 by about 7%. A particular challenge is a certain lack of skilled employees and difficulties within the industry to find and keep apprentices. Working conditions in the sector are marked by long and unsocial hours. Industrial relations are marked by a comparatively low bargaining coverage and the large absence of works council representation in the sector. Joint initiatives at national and sectoral level between the trade union and employers’ associations are rather limited.
- 23 Apr 2012
Germany: Temporary agency workers granted national minimum wageNational minimum wages for temporary agency workers came into force on 1 January 2012, setting a minimum hourly wage of €7.89 in western Germany and €7.01 in eastern Germany, including Berlin. Rates will increase to €8.19 in the west and €7.50 in the east from 1 November 2012. They apply to all temporary agency workers in Germany regardless of their employer’s country of origin. Around 900,000 workers are estimated to be covered by the decree, which expires on 31 October 2013.
- 23 Apr 2012
Germany: Germany: The representativeness of trade unions and employer associations in the insurance sectorIn 2009, 239,000 people were employed in Germany’s insurance sector. Employees are represented by three unions, the United Services Union (ver.di), the professional union DHV and the German Association of Bank Employees (DBV). Collective bargaining for employers in the sector is conducted by The Employers Association for Insurance Companies in Germany (AGV), The Federal Association for Insurance Salespersons (BVK) and the German Association for Managerial Staff in the Insurance Sector (VGA).
- 27 Mar 2012
Germany: Germany: The representativeness of trade unions and employer associations in the paper sectorThe German paper sector is one of the strongest in Europe, with 2,534 companies. Total employment was 146,000 in 2008. The economic crisis resulted in only a slight decline of employment and had no effect on the organisations involved in collective bargaining. Interest representation is divided into two employer organisations representing the paper manufacturing sector and one employer organisation representing the manufacturing of paper products. Two trade unions, both affiliates of the Confederation of German Trade Unions, represent either the workers of the paper manufacturing industry or those working in the manufacturing of paper products. Overlap of domains is of minor importance. Coverage by multi-employer agreements is high. There is no problem of representativeness in the sector.
- 21 Mar 2012
Germany: Collectively agreed wages go up by 2% in 2011In January 2012, the Institute for Economic and Social Research reported on Germany's 2011 collective bargaining round. It evaluated the agreements affecting 9.2 million employees, or about 49% of all those covered by a collective agreement. Another 7.4 million employees received previously agreed pay increases. The average increase in collectively agreed wages was 2%. The Federal Statistical Office said actual monthly gross wages increased by 3.4% in 2011.
- 12 Mar 2012
Germany: Raising retirement age reignites national debateIn 2007, the German parliament adopted new regulations to gradually increase the retirement age from 65 to 67 years between now and 2029. When the regulations came into force on 1 January 2012 they prompted a heated debate among political parties and social partners about the higher pensionable age and the employment situation of mature workers. Since few workers over 64 pay social security contributions, some partners dispute the need to raise the statutory retirement age.
- 07 Mar 2012
Germany: Germany: The representativeness of trade unions and employer associations in the sea fisheries sectorThe importance of the sea fisheries sector to the German economy has been declining since the 1990s During this time EU policy has also meant that the number of vessels has been reduced. A few deep sea fishery boats are of high tech standard but, overall, the sector is characterised by small, individually-owned boats. There is no precise data either on the number of employers or on the number of employees in the sector. The number of those working in the sector who are eligible for social security was below 2,000 in 2009. The sector is represented by two employer organisations which both claim to be consulted by public authorities and by one trade union. Only a single-employer agreement is in place, however.
- 21 Feb 2012
Germany: Christmas bonus – collective agreements and actual paymentsData published in November 2011 by the Hans Böckler Foundation (WSI) shows that more than half of all German employees receive an additional annual payment in the form of a Christmas bonus. The data also shows that far more workers who are covered by a collective agreement receive a Christmas bonus than employees who are not covered. Most sectoral collective agreements provide a Christmas bonus, but the collectively agreed rates vary considerably between industries.
- 10 Feb 2012
Germany: Chemicals agreement aims to motivate older workersA collective agreement tackling the challenges of an ageing workforce was signed by north-east German employer representatives and the Mining, Chemicals and Energy Industrial Union in November 2011. The agreement affects around 30,000 employees and improves working conditions for specific groups of workers. A survey by the German Federation of Chemicals Employers’ Associations shows such measures may play a major role in chemical companies in other regions, too.
- 31 Jan 2012
Germany: Social partners in steel industry agree jobs for apprentices after trainingIn November 2011, the bargaining parties of the northwestern German steel industry agreed on a new package of collective agreements. The new agreement allows for a general pay increase of 3.8%, with effect from 1 December 2011. The parties also agreed on permanent employment contracts for apprentices upon completion of their training. For the semi-retired, employers will top up their pension fund contributions to the same level as if they were working full time.