The leader of Verdi, Frank Werneke, criticized the center-right coalition government regarding the planned “relief bonus”.Speaking to “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” (Saturday editions), the chairman of Germany’s second-largest trade union stated, “The 1,000 euros that the federal government is currently presenting will prove to be a flash in the pan, in my view”. He noted that while this measure raises high expectations, he questioned which employers would willingly cover the cost.
Werneke further argued that even the federal government, state governments, and municipalities were not expected to pay the bonus to their employees. He questioned the rationale, saying, “If even the state does not want to implement its own laws, why should private employers? Furthermore, one-time payments do not advance us in collective bargaining negotiations”.
The Verdi chairman also criticized the federal government for appearing overly lenient towards the oil and gas industry giants. He insisted, “We urgently need a price cap for fuel”. While acknowledging that the proposed two-month reduction of the taxes on diesel and gasoline by 17 cents is not wrong, he argued that it is insufficient.
Werneke demanded that the so-called “excess profits” made by the oil and gas companies must be returned to the citizens. Declaring his concern over the government’s approach, the union chief added, “I view it critically that the federal government is showing forbearance toward these companies and is not taking them fully to account”.