The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) has called on the federal government for joint discussions concerning the planned reform package. At the “Tagesspiegel” (Tuesday edition), DGB Chairwoman Yasmin Fahimi stated, “We are always ready to talk. Preferably with Mr. Merz and his government, but also with employers”. She added, “I have been urging the federal government for months to exit its coalition tunnel. It must reconcile societal debates”.
However, Fahimi declined to discuss wages in Germany with the CDU/CSU and SPD. When asked if she would enter potential talks with preconditions, the DGB Chairwoman responded, “If the coalition wishes to discuss wage costs with us, we are not prepared for that. The tariff bodies are responsible for wage determination, no one else. I do not discuss wages with the politics”.
Furthermore, the DGB chief urged the federal government and the states to invest more quickly and effectively in infrastructure, advocating for a full focus on European products in this process. Stating that “the state must expand infrastructure more quickly and with more focus” she also highlighted that the DGB is campaigning for “the preference of European products in all forms of state funding and support-called ‘local content'”.
