Youth hostels: relief from longer short-time work benefits
Created: 03/06/2022Updated: 03/06/2022 11:35 am
By: Andreas Steppan
Still waiting for guests: Holger Strobel, head of the Tölz sports youth hostel, reports "very bad" booking numbers in March.
But that changes after Easter.
© ARNDT PÖHL/ARCHIVE
The mood at the youth hostels and in the school camp in the district has brightened up a bit. The reason for this is a decision by the Bundestag.
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen – After the Ministry of Education had urgently advised against class trips at the beginning of the year due to the high number of corona infections until Easter, some facilities feared for their continued existence, as reported.
Those responsible are now looking to the future with a little more optimism.
One point that caused great concern was the limitation of short-time work benefits to a maximum period of 24 months.
The Hochland youth settlement in Königsdorf had pointed this out in a written call for help to the local state and federal deputies.
Since the youth settlement had already registered for short-time work in March 2020, the aid would have expired at the end of February - without the employees being able to be employed again from March.
"This will get us over the hill"
The situation for the school camp in Bairawies was similar. Because of the canceled school trips, the house is empty, and there is nothing for the employees to do, apart from the caretaker.
At the same time, the fixed costs of 20,000 euros per month continue, as home manager Rotraut Drexler reported to the Tölzer Kurier in January.
According to the previous legal situation, the possibility of leaving employees on short-time work would have ended on March 31st for the school camp.
Accordingly, Drexler was concerned about the future of the facility.
A few days ago, the Bundestag decided to extend the maximum period for short-time work benefits by four to 28 months.
In addition, the Corona economic aid should continue until the end of June.
"We'll get over the hump with that," explains Roland Herzog, head of the youth settlement, with relief.
"We are now looking to the future with great confidence."
The basis for this: "We assume that the Ministry of Education will not oppose school trips after the Easter holidays," says Herzog.
Under this condition, a "normal" state of bookings can be expected again in the youth settlement from Easter.
According to Herzog, the employees will remain on short-time work until then.
"Now in March, our operations are anything but economical."
After Easter the house is full again
Rotraut Drexler can also say – as of now: “The Bairawies school camp will continue to exist.” According to her own statements, she does not have to make use of the option to extend short-time work.
"The short-time work ends at the end of March." After Easter "we'll have the house full again," she says, looking at the existing bookings.
"Then we no longer need short-time work."
Meanwhile, Holger Strobel, head of the Tölz sports youth hostel, would like to have the final certainty that school trips can take place again after Easter.
He criticizes the fact that the Ministry of Education has not yet made any concrete statements on this and calls for "reliable perspectives".
Strobel: "Class trips usually require a longer planning phase with everyone involved." However, the "hesitant attitude" of the Ministry of Education is currently preventing the schools from starting to prepare for the trip.
Personnel situation is tense
In general, however, Strobel also currently sees "rays of hope".
In March, the sports youth hostel was still "very badly" booked.
"But from April until the end of the year there are only a few rooms left at the moment."
However, the staffing situation is tense.
"In the meantime, there have been applications from unvaccinated applicants from the healthcare sector," reports Strobel.
"Unfortunately, part-time positions in housekeeping, the kitchen and also at reception are currently still vacant."
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