IG Metall: Social criteria missing from wind concepts
In the view of IG Metall, issues such as regional value creation and collectively agreed wages must be given greater consideration in the climate-friendly restructuring of industry in Germany and Europe. The proposals put forward by the EU Commission to support the European wind power industry "finally address a key concern of IG Metall", said Daniel Friedrich, the union's coastal district manager. According to the proposals, projects such as wind farms should also be assessed according to how much climate-damaging CO2 emissions they cause. "This means that the better the carbon footprint, the more chance projects have of being realized - sustainability is rewarded," said the trade unionist.
However, IG Metall is demanding more: "Good working conditions, collectively agreed wages and apprenticeships must also be rewarded," added Friedrich. For Friedrich, this means: "Those who offer good working conditions and promote skilled workers must have an advantage in tenders - points that have so far been completely missing from the Minister of Economic Affairs' industrial strategy."
SPD politician Bengt Bergt, who sits in the Bundestag for the constituency of Segeberg/Stormarn-Mitte and deals with issues such as climate protection and energy, expressed a similar view. "The pact from Brussels contains important plans that IG Metall, the Social Democrats and the industry have been fighting for for a long time," he said. However, this could only be a first step. "The EU should get serious and introduce further social sustainability criteria for all renewable energy projects in addition to a CO2 footprint criterion, such as a training quota - ideally in conjunction with good jobs, i.e. collective wage agreements."
Friedrich and Bergt pointed out that the German wind energy sector is the global technology and market leader. "It should stay that way," they said. "This provides 120,000 people and their families with a livelihood in Germany." An efficient and resilient wind industry strengthens the German industry as a whole and pulls supply chains in half of Europe with it.
In the context of the climate-friendly restructuring of the wind power industry, IG Metall advocates for projects with lower carbon footprints to have a higher chance of realization, as they are more sustainable. Moreover, Friedrich, the union's coastal district manager, emphasizes the importance of rewarding projects with good working conditions, collectively agreed wages, and apprenticeships, as these are currently overlooked in tenders.
Recognizing the significance of the European wind power sector, SPD politician Bengt Bergt calls for the EU to introduce additional social sustainability criteria beyond the CO2 footprint. He suggests the introduction of a training quota in conjunction with good jobs and collective wage agreements, to further promote the industry's social aspect and job creation.
Source: www.dpa.com
