Works council vacuum in the Main-Kinzig district: Help needed for employees!

Works council vacuum in the Main-Kinzig district: Help needed for employees!

In the Main-Kinzig district, where around 164,300 employees work in around 10,440 companies, there is a worrying “works council vacuum”. Many employees have no representation when it comes to both working conditions and the working atmosphere. Hendrik Hallier from the Food, Pleasure and Restaurants Union (NGG) points out that works councils are important, especially in times of crisis, to represent the interests of the workforce and to guarantee smooth operations. Issues such as working hours, occupational safety and the training of trainees are just some of the issues that works councils can tackle. mkk-echo.de also reports that the new federal government plans to reform working conditions and, among other things, reconsider maximum working hours.

Especially in view of the current economic crisis, it is even more important that companies without a works council take action. The NGG Rhein-Main calls for employee representation to be set up in companies where at least five employees work. Works councils are particularly in demand in the district's smaller companies, which often have fewer than 50 employees. Around 41,600 people work in small businesses in the Main-Kinzig district, and their working conditions could be significantly improved.

The importance of works councils

The establishment of works councils could not only benefit the employees, but also the companies themselves. A study by the Hans Böckler Foundation shows that companies with works councils are on average 18 percent more productive. Furthermore, works councils help to improve communication between the workforce and management and secure jobs. Peter-Martin Cox, a trade unionist, highlights that the often harsh tone in many small businesses could deter employees from setting up a business. It is all the more important that the NGG offers support to everyone who is interested in setting up a works council. kinzig.news also highlights the 100th anniversary of works councils in Germany, which provides an opportunity to reflect on their importance.

Unfortunately, the number of works councils in Hesse has been declining in recent years - from 54 percent in 2002 to only 46 percent in 2018. Nevertheless, the establishment of a works council remains an opportunity for many employees to make their voices heard and to actively shape their working conditions. The legal framework stipulates that a works council can be elected in companies with more than five employees.

Future developments

Employees can look forward to the upcoming new elections for works councils in existing committees. In addition, newly founded works councils will not take part in regular elections until 2030. In order for more people in this country to be able to make use of their rights, it is essential to raise awareness of the importance of employee representation. Currently, around every second employee in Germany is represented by an employee representative body, up to 95 percent in the public sector, while in the private sector it is only 37 percent. These figures show how important it is for employees in smaller companies to come together to protect their rights and actively advocate for better working conditions. destatis.de documents how much the proportion of works councils depends on the size of a company.