Energy cost compensation: Scholz plans tax-free one-time payment instead of wage compensation
Created: 06/27/2022, 14:13
By: Astrid Theil
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is planning a tax-free one-off payment for employees.
© Michael Kappeler/dpa
Chancellor Scholz is planning a one-off payment from entrepreneurs to their employees instead of wage increases.
Berlin – Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD)* wants to advocate a tax-free one-time payment from employers to compensate for the increased energy costs.
In return, the unions should forgo part of the wage increases in collective bargaining rounds.
Scholz wants to propose the one-off payment on July 4th at the so-called “concerted action” with employers and unions, reported the
picture on Sunday
, referring to government circles.
Corresponding plans were also confirmed by the
German Press Agency
from government circles.
The one-off payment is intended to prevent a wage-price spiral and a further increase in inflation.
One-off payment instead of a wage increase: negotiations with employees and employers
According to
Bild am Sonntag
, the Chancellery assumes that the current inflation is being driven primarily by a supply bottleneck, both in the energy sector and in other products.
This will increase further in the coming year.
The one-time payment is to be implemented instead of a wage increase, as it will quickly reach the employees and low-income earners would benefit the most.
However, since only 43 percent of employees are still paid according to the collective agreement, separate solutions are still needed for employees who are not bound by a collective agreement and pensioners with a low pension.
At the "Concerted Action" on July 4 in the Chancellery, the government, together with top representatives of employees and employers, wants to discuss how price developments can be brought under control.
The historical model for the initiative dates back to the 1960s.
At that time, trade unions had promised to hold back on wage demands, in return the state supported the economy.
at/dpa/afp *Merkur.de is part of IPPEN.MEDIA