DGB celebrates 75 years: strong votes for employee rights in the Ostalbkreis

DGB celebrates 75 years: strong votes for employee rights in the Ostalbkreis

In the Ostalbkreis, the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) put its 75th anniversary at the center of a celebration last Sunday. The DGB district chairwoman Heike Madan spoke about the development and the challenges that the DGB has to face over the decades. A central concern of the DGB is the defense and improvement of the living and working conditions of employees in Germany. Madan emphasized the role of the DGB in the creation of a co -determination system that is decisive in today's working life.

"We have achieved a lot since it was founded," said Madan. The most important successes include the introduction of works councils and employee representatives on supervisory boards, which would not be so pronounced without the course of the DGB. Particularly noteworthy is the 35-hour week, which IG Metall won in the 1980s. The introduction of a nationwide minimum wage is also crucial to enable many people in Germany to have a better future, Madan continues.

challenges and changes

The role of the unions has changed significantly since the foundation of the DGB in 1949. At that time, 16 different unions started, which have been reduced to eight over the years. This development was necessary to meet the challenges of a changing world of work. Madan reported on the difficulties of reconstruction in the 1950s and the adjustments that were necessary in order to be able to react to modern topics such as shortage of skilled workers and digitization.

"The world has changed significantly since 1949," said Madan. These changes required the DGB to actively participate in the debate about future -proof solutions. An example of this is the future offensive East Württemberg, in which IG Metall works in close coordination with politics and the economy to make the region sustainable.

The fight against returns

A dark chapter in the history of the German unions was the time of National Socialism when the unions in Germany were smashed on May 2, 1933. Trade unionists were terribly persecuted, arrested or even killed. The founding of the DGB was a step in the right direction to take a democratic and uniform union that includes all professional groups and overcomes the division of the labor movement in post -war Germany

"Our mission always remains the same: to ensure the protection of employee rights," said Madan. However, the type of challenges constantly changes. The current issues range from globalization, precarization and digitization to a changing labor market due to demographic change and an increasing shift to the right in the political landscape. The DGB is critical of these developments and offers solutions.

"We are committed to more participation in the company to counter the emigration of companies abroad," continued Madan. An important goal here is the equality of temporary workers and core workers to improve working conditions for all employees.

When asked how the DGB deals with the shortage of skilled workers, Madan replied that comprehensive qualification measures are essential. In order to successfully master these challenges, the immigration of specialists is another necessary step. "We also have to promote peace in conflict regions such as Ukraine and the Middle East," she added, "because war brings suffering, pain and death - not only for the people there, but also for our society here."

Finally, Madan commented on the political situation in Germany: "With its rhetoric, the AfD only stirs up negativity and frustration. They represent themselves as a 'workers' party', but this fails to recognize reality." The DGB sees the task of tackling the actual problems of the employees and clearly positioning themselves against these political tendencies.