The head of the German Construction Workers’ Union, Robert Feiger, has called for more free days to be granted to workers in the construction industry to make the job more attractive to young people. “Young people look very much at the work-life balance today and more free days could indeed contribute to making the construction job more attractive” Feiger told the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” (Tuesday edition).
Feiger was referring to the shortage of skilled workers in the industry, which the sister union Verdi has also addressed in its demands for the public sector. To alleviate the workload of employees, Feiger emphasized the need for a stronger heat protection at work. “With the changing climate, we need time-off regulations in the hot summer months, just as we have them in the winter” the union chief said. “If someone cannot work due to heat, they must be financially secured. The state, employers and unions must ensure this through regulations in collective agreements” he added.
Feiger also called for an increase in the number of customs officials to carry out controls against illegal work. “This is the task of a finance minister or a finance minister” the IG BAU chief said. “The posts would pay for themselves, simply because the national economy would otherwise lose a significant amount of tax and social security contributions.