German union IG Metall condemns pension reform as unfair to workers
Germany's IG Metall union has slammed the federal government's plan to limit additional pension points for statutory pension system workers under the Company Pension Strengthening Act. The union argues that the proposed changes fail to bridge the justice gap between mandatory insured employees and other professional groups.
Hans-Jürgen Urban, IG Metall’s social policy executive, has criticized the proposal, stating that it creates unequal treatment between different professional groups. The current rules allow certain self-employed professions, such as doctors, dentists, pharmacists, lawyers, pastors, and architects, to make unlimited additional pension contributions from age 16. The proposed changes would restrict this, affecting these groups by limiting their ability to continue making extra contributions beyond the new rules.
Urban suggested that simple, clear rules are needed for everyone, with equal treatment for mandatory insured employees and other professional groups. He argued that the cabinet's plan, which would only allow additional pension points for those aged 50 or older, does not provide the same opportunities as currently enjoyed by civil servants and self-employed individuals.
The union's argument highlights the potential disparity in pension provisions between different professional groups under the proposed changes. IG Metall urges the government to reconsider its plan and implement fair, equal rules for all.
