Demands from Trade Unions to Political Parties Ahead of the Bundestag Elections in Dusseldorf
The German economy is facing challenges that are causing businesses to hesitate when it comes to investing for the future, potentially putting millions of jobs at risk. According to reports, around eight million jobs in Germany rely on the industry sector.
In response, unions across the country are calling for action. Dinah Trompeter, managing director of IG Metall Düsseldorf-Neuss, has announced a nationwide action day on March 15, 2025, at five locations under the motto: 'BECAUSE THIS MATTERS NOW!' The rally will focus on securing jobs, industrial value creation, and the future.
The unions are demanding urgent political impulses to address these issues. Proposed measures include investments in public infrastructure, a special fund 'Transformation' worth 600 billion euros, reform of the debt brake, a fair tax system, and competitive energy prices.
Ver.di, another union, is advocating for the wealthy to contribute more to the financing of public tasks. They have proposed the reintroduction of the wealth tax and a reform of the inheritance tax with high allowances for fairer financing of the commonwealth.
Dirk Jehle, chairperson of ver.di local association Düsseldorf, emphasized the importance of public service as the backbone of society and demanded massive investments in public infrastructure and municipal public services.
Climate-friendly modernization of industries is another key concern. Thomas Neumann, District Leader of the Industrial Union of Mining, Chemicals, and Energy (IG BCE) in Düsseldorf, highlighted the urgency of this issue, stating that it won't be funded from the current budget and requires active support for transformation projects.
Dr. Sylvia Burkert, Chairwoman of the Education and Science Union (GEW) in Düsseldorf, also joined the call, advocating for a sustainable education offensive. She stated that the country needs a special fund for education to reduce the high investment backlog in the education system and that North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) lags behind the national average in its education spending.
These unions' actions come in connection with the upcoming federal election, with IG Metall organising the action day under the motto: "Denn das geht uns heute an! - Meine Arbeit. Unser industrieller Staat. Unsere Zukunft!" ("Because this concerns us today! - My work. Our industrial state. Our future!") in an attempt to influence the political landscape and ensure a secure future for German industries and its workers.
