Germany: a key ruling by the Federal Labor Court for interim employees working in metal sector services provision

Germany’s metal union IG Metall estimates that tens of thousands of interim workers are set to receive extra income thanks to a ruling dating back to 22 February 2017 that was only recently published (by the BAG, Bundesarbeitsgericht, Federal Labor Court). In response to an appeal by several interim workers employed by companies that had signed services provision contracts (Werkverträge) with different automaker companies, the Court held that the interim workers also had the right to the ‘sector related bonuses’, which IG Metall had negotiated in 2012 for interim employees working in the metals and electro-technical sectors as well as in the wood, plastics and textiles industries. Until the ruling the interim companies refused to pay temporary workers the bonuses because they argues the workers were working for the services provider companies and not in the metals sector. The BAG (final instance) threw out the argument and for IG Metall it represents a ‘key ruling’ for interim workers and a new stage in the battle against excessive use of outsourcing.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

Bonuses that vary according to job function and duration. For IG Metall it is in no small part thanks to the tenacity of Mr. Manuel Greuvers, an interim worker employed by a Ford services provider in Cologne that this case had such a positive outcome. For five years this temporary worker that provided the oil for more than ford 630 engines fought alongside his colleagues, the WC and the relevant IG Metall Cologne-Leverkusen section in order to receive his ‘sector related bonuses’ being paid...

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
France: social conference on labour and pensions to proceed without main employers’ group
The preparatory meeting ahead of the social conference on labour and pensions, which is set to decide on the pension system model and the funding thereof, was held on 4 November at France's labour...
Spain: already well on the way to pay transparency?
Spain is preparing for the implementation of its national law transposing the EU Pay Transparency Directive, which will take effect on 7 June 2026. The legislation marks another step forward in...
5 November 2025
Italy: decree-law adopted to increase workplace safety
On 28 October, the Italian cabinet adopted a decree-law on health and safety at work, aimed at preventing and reducing accidents. The text addresses both the powers and actions of supervisory...
4 November 2025
Romania: parents of children with disabilities granted up to eight days of remote work per month
On 9 October, the Romanian parliament adopted a bill aiming to bolster support for parents of children with disabilities up to the age of 18. The legislation, which came into force on 12 October...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
Netherlands: ING cites AI as it plans to cut around 950 jobs
Dutch bank ING has informed the employment agency UWV that it may cut around 950 jobs by 31 December 2026. In its notification on 20 October, the lender said the planned reductions stem partly...
30 October 2025
2
Germany: legal battle at Tesla ahead of works council election
The Frankfurt/Oder labour court has postponed a mid-November hearing in the case between the IG Metall union and Michaela Schmitz, employee representative and head of the works council at the...
3
Candice Guillot (Talan): “Our recruiters save just over 80 hours per year on administrative tasks thanks to AI”
Candice Guillot, group director of employee experience and HR performance at Talan (7,000 employees), outlines for mind RH her vision and strategy for introducing artificial intelligence at the...
20 October 2025
4
AI-driven job cuts on the rise in tech sector
As leading tech companies ramp up investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and roll out transformation plans to boost its development, layoffs across the sector are increasing. But are the job...
7 October 2025
5
France: generative AI and older workers central to BPCE’s skills management strategy
On 17 July 2025, BPCE and its trade unions signed a second agreement on jobs and career management within the banking group. The text places generative artificial intelligence at the core of its...
6
France: austerity measures proposed in social security financing bill for 2026
Limits on sick leave, the end of social security exemptions for apprentices, and the introduction of additional birth leave: the 2026 social security financing bill, presented to parliament on 14...
16 October 2025