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BDA boss Dulger with Chancellor Scholz
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CHRISTIAN MANG / REUTERS
With the so-called concerted action in the fight against energy inflation, the government wants companies to contribute to the relief.
But employer president Rainer Dulger has now dampened hopes.
Many employers could not even make use of the possibility of a one-time payment free of taxes and duties provided for in the latest relief package.
"Many companies would certainly give their employees a one-off payment, no matter what the amount, but they can't because the massive increase in energy costs is taking their breath away," Dulger said in an interview with the editorial network Germany.
Debt brake secondary for many companies in the crisis
"The 3000 euros are not a sure-fire success," said the President of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA).
Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently encouraged companies to make special payments to their employees because of the high energy prices.
"The federal government has decided to exempt such additional payments of up to 3,000 euros from taxes and social security contributions if employers and unions agree," said the SPD politician.
In principle, however, Dulger praised the possibility of tax- and duty-free one-off payments, which the traffic light government wants to make possible.
In difficult times they are something that both sides benefit from.
"Employees quickly get additional money, and there are no higher costs for employers in the long term."
The employer boss also made extensive new demands on the federal government.
They must fight the economic crisis with determination.
If necessary, the debt brake must also be suspended, Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) in particular has been sticking to it so far.
"Many entrepreneurs wouldn't see austerity as the most pressing issue right now," Dulger said.
Above all, the electricity market must be reorganized because there is no basis at all for the huge profits there.
He expects politicians to make quick decisions for an immediate expansion of the electricity supply.
Dulger also supported the call for the controversial gas levy to be abolished.
»Abolishing the gas surcharge would be a step in the right direction to relieve companies of the exorbitant energy costs, but it is far from enough.«
Apr/Reuters