Heil calls for compulsory corona testing for companies across Germany - Union is standing across the board

Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) wants to enforce a corona test obligation for all companies in Germany from next Tuesday against the resistance of the Union.

Berlin - Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) wants to enforce a corona test obligation for companies across Germany from this Tuesday (April 13).

Such an obligation has so far been rejected by the coalition partner CDU / CSU.

Heil's statements on the necessity of such a mandatory test are clear: “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 to Bild am Sonntag: "I want us to resolve this in the federal government on Tuesday."

Corona test obligation for companies: Only 61 percent of employees are given tests

A survey commissioned by the federal government had previously shown that 61 percent of employees in Germany currently have an employer who provides corona tests for employees.

“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, ”concludes Heil.

Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD) also advocated compulsory corona testing.

The survey also plays an important role for him in this context.

The 61 percent would not be enough as a result.

"That is clearly too little, our agreement aimed at a test rate of 90 percent," said Scholz of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung.

It is no longer appropriate to continue to appeal to employers.

"We have to oblige companies to make a test offer to their employees," emphasized the finance minister.

Heil und Scholz: As of Tuesday, corona testing is mandatory in companies across Germany

From Tuesday, all employees who are not in the home office should have the right to one corona test per week.

People who are in close contact with customers or who work with food should even be entitled to two tests per week.

A certification requirement is not provided.

It is therefore sufficient if the employer provides his employees with self-tests.

Such plans have so far failed due to the resistance of the Union, which had rejected the obligation to test for companies.

The SPD therefore wants to enforce the obligation to test by tightening the occupational health and safety ordinance in a package with the tightening of the Infection Protection Act.

The home office rule, which expires on April 30, is also to be extended on Tuesday with the help of the occupational health and safety ordinance.

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