Enlarge image
Olaf Scholz: Politics of the 1960s as a role model?
Photo: Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images
According to a newspaper report, Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants companies to make tax-free one-off payments to their employees instead of wage increases.
The SPD politician wants to propose this on July 4th at the concerted action with employers and unions, reports the "Bild am Sonntag" with reference to government circles.
According to this, a wage-price spiral and a further increase in inflation should be prevented in this way.
During the concerted action in the Chancellery, the government wants to consult with employers and trade unions on coordinated action to combat the high prices.
The historical model for the initiative dates back to the 1960s.
At that time, trade unions had promised to hold back on wage demands, in return the state supported the economy.
According to »BamS«, the Chancellery assumes that the current inflation is being driven primarily by a supply bottleneck, both in the energy sector and in other products.
Another argument in favor of a one-off payment instead of wage increases is that they reach the employees quickly and low-income earners benefit the most.
Less than half still receive tariff
One problem, however, is that only 43 percent of employees are still paid according to collective agreements – an agreement with the unions would not necessarily go down well with them.
For them, but also for pensioners, for example, additional measures are still needed, which are still being worked on, writes the "BamS".
According to the report, one-off state payments are under discussion.
In view of the inflation, Green Party leader Britta Haßelmann insists on further relief, especially for low earners.
"We will also have to address the difficult situation caused by increased fossil energy prices politically beyond the relief measures that have already been decided," she told the newspapers of the Funke media group.
»For me, that means supporting people in particular who already have very little or no financial leeway.«
In May, the German inflation rate reached 7.9 percent, its highest level since the winter of 1973/1974.
According to economists, the end of the development should not yet have been reached - especially not if Russian gas deliveries should fail permanently.
So far, the government has primarily tried to cushion the burden on citizens with individual measures such as the nine-euro ticket, fuel discounts or the heating cost subsidy.
So far, the federal government has not been able to agree on further relief, and a coalition committee last week has at least so far been unsuccessful.
Among other things, a surcharge on Hartz IV, energy vouchers or a distance allowance were discussed.
While SPD leader Lars Klingbeil demanded relief for pensioners, SPD faction leader Rolf Mützenich suggested special payments to employees to secure their livelihood, FDP leader and Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner said: "Further relief measures must necessarily be within the framework of the debt brake." Federal Minister of Social Affairs Hubertus Heil ( SPD) had already said about the latest proposals: »The state cannot compensate for everything for everyone.«
Apr/AFP/dpa/Reuters