03:22Germany: 'What we want is not outrageous' - Public workers rally in Berlin for better pay, working conditions after talks stall
Public sector workers staged their latest rally in Berlin on Thursday, over pay and working conditions, with talks between the unions and employers stalling.
“Our demands are not only legitimate, right and fair but also absolutely correct and why we deserve the money. Today we will make noise to show what we want is not outrageous. It is not okay, it is the minimum, it is what every one of us deserves for their daily labour", said Carlos Seefeld, BSR spokesperson for those in the city’s waste management services.
The union of federal and municipal workers is demanding a minimum wage increase of 10.5 per cent amid sky-high inflation, amounting to at least 500 euros a month for around 2.5 million public sector workers across Germany.
"In the few last weeks, we all have been out there again and again, you have shown we have to stand up for our demands and also today I see an incredible number of people showing why the public service is so damn important," Seefeld added.
Last month, the government reportedly offered a five per cent hike spread over more than two years, as well as one-off payments of 1,500 euros in May, and another 1,000 euros in January 2024. The next round of talks is scheduled for the end of the month.
03:22Public sector workers staged their latest rally in Berlin on Thursday, over pay and working conditions, with talks between the unions and employers stalling.
“Our demands are not only legitimate, right and fair but also absolutely correct and why we deserve the money. Today we will make noise to show what we want is not outrageous. It is not okay, it is the minimum, it is what every one of us deserves for their daily labour", said Carlos Seefeld, BSR spokesperson for those in the city’s waste management services.
The union of federal and municipal workers is demanding a minimum wage increase of 10.5 per cent amid sky-high inflation, amounting to at least 500 euros a month for around 2.5 million public sector workers across Germany.
"In the few last weeks, we all have been out there again and again, you have shown we have to stand up for our demands and also today I see an incredible number of people showing why the public service is so damn important," Seefeld added.
Last month, the government reportedly offered a five per cent hike spread over more than two years, as well as one-off payments of 1,500 euros in May, and another 1,000 euros in January 2024. The next round of talks is scheduled for the end of the month.