Enlarge image
Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD)
Photo: HANNIBAL HANSCHKE / REUTERS
Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) wants to enforce a corona test obligation for companies across Germany in the cabinet this Tuesday - although the Union has so far rejected such an obligation.
»Everyone must now do their part in the fight against Corona, including the world of work.
In order to protect those who cannot work from home, we need comprehensive tests in the factories, "Heil said of" Bild am Sonntag ".
"I want us to decide that on Tuesday in the federal government."
more on the subject
Employees and Corona occupational safety: "My health doesn't count" By Florian Diekmann and Alexander Preker
Federal government survey: Too few companies offer employees quick tests
A survey of employees commissioned by the federal government showed that 61 percent currently have an employer who offers corona tests.
»40 percent of employees do not receive any test offers from their employers.
That is why we have to oblige business to make test offers to employees in a simple and unbureaucratic manner.
Because testing protects the employees and keeps the companies open, "said Heil.
Right to one or two self-tests per week
According to the media report, the plans of the Federal Ministry of Labor provide that all employees who are not in the home office have the right to a corona test per week.
Anyone who has a lot of customer contact or who works with food should be entitled to two tests per week.
A certification requirement is not provided.
So it is enough if the employer makes self-tests available to his employees.
So far, the Union had rejected compulsory testing for companies.
According to information from "Bild am Sonntag", the SPD now wants to implement such an introduction as part of a tightening of the occupational health and safety ordinance in the package with the adaptation of the Infection Protection Act.
The home office rule, which expires on April 30, is to be extended on Tuesday via the occupational health and safety regulation.
Last week, SPIEGEL published logs from employees in various industries, in which some of them reported glaring deficiencies in corona protection.
You can find the articles here.
jme / dpa