Schwerin (dpa/mv) – The state government of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is awarding a prize for works and staff councils for the first time this year. The aim is to award people or bodies whose commitment has strengthened employee participation, made working conditions easier and ensured a better work-life balance. Other criteria are gender equality, occupational safety, health and innovations. Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD) said on Friday in Schwerin that the award would recognize the commitment and courage of employees who do their utmost for their colleagues. Proposals can be submitted until March 17th. The prize, which is awarded in three categories, will be presented in Schwerin on April 28th.
The DGB welcomed the offer of this prize. Worker representatives would help workers assert their rights and fight for fair working conditions. “Those who can rely on strong works and staff councils and trade unions are better off,” said Ingo Schlueter, deputy chairman of the DGB Nord.
According to surveys, trade union affiliation is around 15 percent in Germany. In East Germany it is even lower, which experts see as a reason why the collective bargaining agreement and thus wages are still below West levels. In the often small companies in the north-east, there are often no works councils. The state government wants to encourage companies to pay collectively agreed wages with a graduated grant allocation and an amended procurement law for public sector contracts. This approach has met with criticism from business associations.
The SPD member of parliament Christian Winter referred to studies according to which a works council significantly increases the wage level, especially in companies without a collective agreement. Federal Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil (SPD) is planning a law that will classify the obstruction of co-determination as an official offence.
