In Germany, many corona requirements should fall – also in the companies. Hygiene concepts should continue to exist, but employers should be given a largely free hand. Not everyone is comfortable.
Trade unions and employers are struggling over the future course of Corona in Germany’s companies.
Employer President Rainer Dulger welcomed the planned abolition of the requirements for companies and announced that they would continue to take protective measures themselves. Anja Piel from the board of directors of the German Trade Union Confederation warned on Monday: “It takes courageous action to combat the high rate of infection. Friendly announcements are of little help.”
Dulger told the German Press Agency: “The flexibilisation that is now planned for the companies is necessary and makes sense.” They are the necessary reaction to the operational protection concepts and a high vaccination rate for employees. “Even after the legal 3G access regulation has been lifted and the obligation to work remotely no longer applies, the economy will continue to maintain effective protective measures,” announced Dulger.
The draft regulation of the Federal Ministry of Labor provides that employers should in future assess the risk of the virus themselves and define appropriate measures in a company hygiene concept. The ordinance is expected to be passed in the federal cabinet on Wednesday.
Up to and including March 19, employers are still obliged to offer tests in their companies at least twice a week. Where other measures do not provide sufficient protection, there is currently a mask requirement. In addition to these rules, company 3G regulations apply, according to which employees must carry proof of vaccinations, convalescence or test certificates. Working from home is mandatory if the type of work allows it.
Regarding mobile working, Dulger said that this will continue to be used in the companies without legal compulsion. Piel warned: “Employers must not ignore the fact that home office – where possible – remains a useful tool to limit contacts and thus the risk of infection.”
DGB continues to see the risk of infection at a high level
The trade unionist reminded that the incidences are increasing again. “This means that the risk of infection remains at a high level.” The home office offer obligation was introduced in response to an extremely low rate of mobile work in the middle of the peak of the pandemic.
Dulger criticized it as superfluous that the Department of Labor wanted to anchor the home office again, partly through the back door, in the Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance. The draft regulation contains the information that there is no legal obligation to work from home, but that employers have the option of offering their employees home work. (dpa)