Labor Day belongs to the unions. Because of the lifting of restrictions as a result of the corona pandemic, there are large rallies again for the first time.
Am Labor Day the Confederation of German Trade Unions (DGB) in Baden-Württemberg has called for “heavy wage increases”. These are the best recipe against the rising cost of living and can be financed by companies, said DGB country manager Kai Burmeister Ulm at one of around 50 rallies in the southwest to mark the holiday. According to information from Sunday, around 20,000 people demonstrated for good work and fair politics.
The deputy national chairman of the IG Metall, Christiane Benner, stepped up to the lectern in Stuttgart. “We stand for social justice, peace and equality between women and men,” she said, according to the union. The ecological change in the world of work costs a lot of money. “In addition, we need further financial compensation for employees when prices are drastically increasing, especially for energy and food.”
Inheritance tax should be increased, wealth tax reintroduced and capital gains taxed higher, Benner demanded. “All people must benefit from economic progress, not just the super-rich who set up digital monopolies with billions.”
“Baden-Württemberg needs a justice offensive,” said Burmeister at the central DGB rally in Ulm. “The pandemic is still in our bones, now there is the immense price increase and the consequences of the cruel war in Ukraine.”
Specifically, the trade union federation proposes a tax on the wealthy. “It’s time for the strong shoulders to really contribute more to the community. A property levy is a useful tool for this,” Burmeister said in advance.
The head of state demanded a relief package for all citizens from politicians and advocated a reduction in VAT on gas and electricity. He also called on the state government to introduce a collective bargaining law. Only every second employee in Baden-Württemberg is protected by collective agreements.
The DGB trade unions negotiated collective agreements for almost ten million people this year. In some cases, according to the information, increases of five percent and more have already been achieved. According to Burmeister, further increases should also be implemented in the next round.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:220501-99-119796/2 (dpa)
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