The German civil service union has demanded that the planned tax-free 1,000-euro bonus be paid out to all employees in the public sector. The union chairman, Volker Geyer, told the “Bild” newspaper (Wednesday edition) that the state employer must set a leading example regarding the intended lump-sum payments. He argued that if the federal government expects companies to comply, the state itself, acting as an employer, must lead the way. Geyer stated that the federal, state, and municipal governments must quickly implement the “crisis bonus”. Furthermore, he insisted that this premium must be paid as a genuine supplementary benefit, separate from any collective bargaining agreements or salary increases.