In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, many industries are likely to accelerate efforts to restructure their operations, creating uncertainty for employees. It is vital that trade unions should be involved in the recovery process at all levels. Germany’s DGB Confederation has published a new report outlining 21 projects that could map the way forward for structural change in the future.
We design on site - structural policy of the DGB addresses the question of what change should look like in practice and how it can be shaped in the interests of workers. The 21 DGB best practice examples cover everything from digitization to mobility and economic development to industrial policy and climate protection.
Different regions face a range of challenges, and well-developed, sustainable, digital infrastructure is as important as social housing or a functioning mobile network for a post-pandemic recovery that prioritises people’s welfare. “Unions get involved so that the voice of the employees is taken into account in structural change,” explains the DGB. “They drive the necessary changes in the regions, stand by the employees in the companies and put important topics on the political agenda.”