Germany: dispute on seniors’ part-time in the metal sector

The metalworkers' union IG Metall, which is fighting to keep the law on seniors' part time (Altersteilzeit), which is supposed to expire at the end of 2009, chose the tough way. Between March 10 and March 14, 2008, its main regional sections cancelled the collective agreements which regulate seniors' part time. The goal is to pressure both the government and employers. (Ref. 080212)
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Widely paid for by the Federal Employment Agency, the law on seniors’ part-time enables workers over 55 to work part-time. In practice, the employees concerned choose to work full-time during half of their contact and then stop working during the second half. The law says that the employers must pay the employee during that entire period at least 70% of their salary instead of 50%. In the metal sector, this percentage even goes up to 82% after a tariff agreement. The State supports this provisi

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