Berlin, 21. June 2017: AmCham Germany's Social and Labor Affairs Committee met with Katja Mast, Member of the German Bundestag and Speaker for Social and Labor Affairs, SPD-Bundestagsfraktion, and Bernd Rützel, Member of the German Bundestag, SPD-Bundestagsfraktion. The discussion focused on the elements in the SPD's election program for the upcoming federal elections in September with regards to social and labor affairs. The future of work and digitization of the workplace were key elements of the discussion. How can flexibility be achieved without violation of labor laws? How can a digital workplace culture be established in the existing regulatory framework and which regulations are necessary or obstructive? How can society and businesses adapt and evolve to changing digital technologies and still keep the element of company co-determination common in Germany in place?
Bargaining autonomy, the backbone of union activities in Germany, as well as employment protection legislation and how to integrate refugees into the labor market were also topics of the very open and constructive meeting. We thank Ms. Mast and Mr. Rützel for their time and look forward to continuing the dialogue in the upcoming legislative term.
