Employers worry about the consequences of the budget crisis
In the debate on solutions to the federal budget crisis, metal employers and IG Metall in the north are calling for quick decisions and cohesion between all democratic parties in government and opposition. "Now is not the time for electoral tactical profiling," reads a joint statement issued by the trade union and the employers' association Nordmetall in Hamburg on Friday. "The democratic parties in government and opposition must find a joint and viable solution as quickly as possible that enables long-term investment in the future and secures the transformation of the industry."
Employers and the trade union are concerned that the discussion about how to deal with the budget crisis is promoting anti-democratic forces. It is true that politicians themselves are responsible for the budget crisis. "But we must prevent the opponents of our democracy from making political capital out of it. Solutions must therefore be found to further stabilize our society and keep it together."
Following a ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court, there is a large gap in the federal government's finances. The court had declared the reallocation of coronavirus loans of 60 billion euros from the 2021 budget to the Climate and Transformation Fund null and void. Many programs for the climate-friendly transformation of the economy are financed from this special fund.
"Neither the accumulation of further debt nor cuts in state benefits alone can help," says the statement from the metalworkers' employers and trade union. "We must stand up for our democracy together and fight against anti-democratic activities in society and companies."
In their view, the transformation of the German economy, which is necessary in view of revolutionary technological developments, geopolitical restructuring and climate change, is at stake - and with it many jobs.
"The Federal Constitutional Court's ruling on the climate and transformation fund and the associated discussion about government budget policy is creating additional uncertainty for employees and companies." Companies and employees now need planning security. "Necessary promised funds, including for possible new relocations, must be confirmed immediately and further financial and human resources mobilized for the transformation of the economy in the coming years."
The federal government's financial predicament, as highlighted by the Federal Constitutional Court's ruling, could potentially impact household finances, prompting calls for stability. For instance, the metal employers and IG Metall in the north propose a unified approach from all democratic parties to secure long-term investment in the industry and jobs. Moreover, the Federal Government and the federal states need to collaborate effectively to navigate this financial challenge, ensuring that the transformation of industries remains a priority.
Source: www.dpa.com
