Eurofound's COVID-19 EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the crisis, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.
Factsheet for case DE-2020-14/1146 – measures in Germany
Country | Germany , applies nationwide |
Time period | Temporary, 01 April 2020 – 31 March 2021 |
Type | Bipartite collective agreements |
Category |
Employment protection and retention
– Wage flexibility |
Author | Birgit Kraemer (Hans Boeckler Foundation) and Eurofound |
Case created | 16 September 2020 (updated 18 September 2020) |
In March 2020, the Chemicals and Mine Workers Union (IGBCE) and the Employers of the Rubber Industry (ADK) met for negotiating a new collective agreement. Under the conditions of the COVID-19 outbreak, the collective bargaining partners negotiated via Skype and took a very fast decision aimed at safeguarding the businesses.
The collective bargaining process took place in a short digital meeting. Both sides, the IGBCE and ADK, were interested in a fast outcome. Industrial actions or campaigns did not take place. The partners agreed to extend the collective wage agreement from March 2018 to last until 31 March 2021 and to not negotiate a wage rise. For compensation and for mitigating any financial hardships due to COVID-19, they agreed on a one-time premium of €200 for full-time workers and of €100 for apprentices. The premium for part time workers varies depending on the number of hours worked.
There is no information on the use of the measure.
Workers | Businesses | Citizens |
---|---|---|
Employees in standard employment
Workers in non-standard forms of employment |
Does not apply to businesses | Does not apply to citizens |
Actors | Funding |
---|---|
Social partners jointly
|
Employer
|
Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:
Trade unions | Employers' organisations | |
---|---|---|
Role | Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative | Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative |
Form | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
This was a standard collective bargaining procedure under unususal circumstances. A particular monitoring or assessment procedure was not agreed; also, there was no unusual involvement of the collective bargaining partners. Under the Works Constitution, the payment of the premium is monitored by the works council.
In face of the COVID-19 lock-down, IGBCE and ADK shared similar views and easily agreed on the compromise: the employers opposed a wage rise and the trade unions called for a premium instead.
This case is sector-specific (only private sector)
Economic area | Sector (NACE level 2) |
---|---|
C - Manufacturing | C22 Manufacture of rubber and plastic products |
This case is not occupation-specific.
Citation
Eurofound (2020), Agreed premium but no wage rise for rubber workers, case DE-2020-14/1146 (measures in Germany), COVID-19 EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, http://eurofound.link/covid19eupolicywatch
Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process. All information is preliminary and subject to change.