Hit hard by the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, Germany calls for an increase in the proportion of employees working from home.
Almost a quarter of German employees, or 10 million people, work exclusively from home, according to a study by the union of digital companies Bitkom, published in December.
A figure that the authorities want to see increase.
“We must reduce contacts in the world of work.
This is more necessary than ever ”,
declared the Head of State, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Friday, during a meeting with the social partners in Berlin.
For Angela Merkel's spokesperson, Steffen Seibert,
"every company, every administration must check whether it is not possible to do even more work remotely".
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Germany surpassed 2 million coronavirus cases on Friday since the start of the pandemic, a figure up 22,638 in the last 24 hours.
The death toll jumped by 1,113, to a total of nearly 45,000.
The Chancellor mentions a tightening of restrictions in an attempt to contain the epidemic.
Germany has already adopted strict measures in November and December: closing schools and high schools, as well as non-essential shops, bars and restaurants.
“For me, it's not a complete lockdown;
there are still too many exceptions, ”
commented Robert-Koch Institute President Lothar Wieler.
A meeting between the Chancellor and the heads of the Länder on Tuesday must discuss new devices, including the imposition of teleworking, or even the closure of public transport.
The Irish government for its part has just presented a law on teleworking providing the right for any employee who requests it to work 100% remotely.
