Advocating a Proactive Industrial, Artisan, and Social Policy: Perspective of IG Metall Koblenz
Metalworkers across Germany Rally for Industrial Strength and Secure Jobs
IG Metall Koblenz, joined by thousands of metalworkers from various regions, has held a demonstration in Frankfurt, urging the next government to prioritize industry and job security. The gathering included employees from Novelis, Stabilus, ZF, Kalzip, Deloro, Thales, Daimler Truck, MAN, Kestenholz, Lotz, Canyon, and other companies from the Koblenz area, as well as workers from Trivium and Ardagh in Weißenthurm, Bomag in Hunsrück, Eaton, Ecobat, and Erlenbach from the Rhein-Lahn district, Schutz, Deutz, Cohline, GEA, and Spie from the Montabaur/Westerwald region, Kampf and Impaper from the Eifel, and other regional members.
The rally supports the call for a swift coalition formation and a government program that actively supports industry and craftsmanship, ensuring local jobs are sustainable in the future. In addition, IG Metall is advocating for a robust social security system and labor market policies that secure employment while cushioning potential hardships of the transformation. The need for swift political decisions stems from the region's transformation impacts.
Ali Yener, the first chairman of IG Metall Koblenz, stated, "The time for forward-thinking and active politics is pressing. We, too, feel the need for such actions in our region... We need a hands-on government that tackles these issues now."
Prior to the election, IG Metall Koblenz highlighted the pension issue with a flash mob under the motto "The pension at 70 belongs in the imperial era - prevent social deforestation" at the German Corner. Yener underscored the importance of a modern industrial nation and a robust social security system, which includes fair pension policy. He advocated for a pension reform, not a cutback, but a solidarity reform, where those who can work longer and those who cannot make it to the standard retirement age are given fair consideration.
The Frankfurt rally commenced on March 15th, with approximately 12,000 participants gathering at the Untermainkai at 11:55 AM. Hans-Jürgen Urban, a managing board member of IG Metall responsible for social policy, served as the main speaker, and the event was supported musically by Die Toten Hosen and Die Donots.
Simultaneously, other rallies occurred in Cologne, Stuttgart, Hannover, and Leipzig, with thousands of metalworkers voicing their concerns nationwide.
Germany's industrial policy is geared towards revitalizing and strengthening the industrial sector, focusing on subsidized electricity prices for industries, de-risking and economic security, and enhancing competitiveness. Additionally, the labor market policy aims to secure employment and promote industry while windshielding potential hardships during transformations. Strategies for addressing transformation challenges include structural change support, green transition, and EU cooperation. The Nationwide Action Day for Strong Industry with Secure Jobs is a testament to these efforts, showcasing the importance of balancing industrial growth and worker welfare.
- The gathering of metalworkers in Frankfurt, led by IG Metall Koblenz, called upon politics and the upcoming government to prioritize policy-and-legislation that supports the finance sector and business growth, especially within the industry.
- The need for a robust social security system and pro-labor market policies have been at the forefront of IG Metall's agenda, as they push for policies that secure employment while cushioning potential hardships of the transformation, parallel to the general-news of regional transitions.
- Simultaneously across Germany, in cities like Cologne, Stuttgart, Hannover, and Leipzig, rallies have been held to voice concerns about industry and job security, highlighting the need for legislation that fosters a strong and competitive industrial sector, all part of the broader policy-and-legislation landscape of Germany.
