Minister of Labor: Law for collective bargaining still this year
Federal Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil wants to present the planned law for more collective bargaining coverage this year. "We have a task to strengthen collective bargaining in this country," said Heil on Saturday at the federal congress of the SPD youth in Braunschweig. "That's why I will present a law this year that will ensure that, at least once, public contracts from the federal government only go to companies in this country that are bound by collective agreements." The changes in the world of work must be negotiated fairly.
In the coalition agreement, the SPD, Greens and FDP had announced: "To strengthen collective bargaining commitment, the awarding of public contracts by the federal government will be tied to compliance with a representative collective agreement in the respective sector, with the awarding of contracts being based on a simple, unbureaucratic declaration."
The employers' association BDA sees several legal problems. For example, the planned regulation would violate EU law because it would prevent foreign providers from entering the German market. The planned law also violates the constitutionally protected freedom of employment contracts and freedom of association. This is because the right of employers not to be subject to a collective agreement is being violated and the planned law discriminates against such companies in competition.
- Trade unions are advocateating strongly for the implementation of the labor minister's proposed law, as it could potentially increase their influence in collective bargaining processes.
- Critics, such as the employers' association BDA, argue that the law, if enacted, could potentially infringe on EU laws regarding free trade and violate constitutional rights related to employment contracts and freedom of association.
- The SPD's youth wing has expressed support for the economic policy emphasized in the law, as it aligns with their commitment to strengthen collective bargaining and promote job security.
- Economic analysts speculate that the law, if successfully implemented, could significantly impact income distribution within the German economy, potentially leading to higher wages and improved living standards for workers bound by collective agreements.
Source: www.dpa.com
