On Labor Day, the SoVD is calling for a strengthening of employee rights and a noticeable improvement in working conditions. The main demand is an increase in the statutory minimum wage. “Work must pay. Those who give everything every day should not have to worry about their livelihood at the end of the month. That’s why we demand: The minimum wage must be raised to 15.12 euros – and immediately” said SoVD President Michaela Engelmeier on Tuesday. “Anything else means consciously accepting poverty despite work. We will not accept that.” This adjustment must occur annually in the future to secure the purchasing power of employees. Only a strong minimum wage can protect against poverty and old-age poverty.
Many people in Germany are still poor despite hard work. Engelmeier said that it must be a primary goal of modern labor market policy to combat low-wage sectors, reduce unemployment sustainably and create high-quality jobs. “This includes consistently converting mini-jobs into socially insurable employment relationships, expanding collective bargaining agreements and significantly curbing labor leasing, subcontracting and faux self-employment” said the SoVD President.
The SoVD also calls for significant improvements in the security of the unemployed. “Those who pay contributions deserve respect and strong security. Instead of being pushed into welfare, people should be secured through unemployment insurance. We need an extension of the benefit periods of unemployment benefit I and the introduction of a follow-on unemployment benefit. Ideally, there would be a time-limited, tax-financed benefit that is granted after the receipt of unemployment benefit I and is combinable with rent and child benefits. Comprehensive counseling, funding and job placement must occur regardless of whether people receive unemployment benefit I or welfare” said Engelmeier. “All job and training seekers must receive counseling, funding and placement regardless of whether they receive unemployment benefit I or welfare.