Germany: IG BCE chemistry union and Technikum temporary work agency create the first training fund for all agency workers

A company agreement… open to all sectors.  The creation of the first Continuous Learning Fund for agency workers in Germany isn’t the result of sectoral negotiations with numerous partners but of an isolated initiative between a trade union and a temporary work agency specialized in technical trades.  “We started talking about it in 2004 when the IG BCE and the company which has now become Technikum were discussing a company agreement.  Training is a particularly sensitive issue in temporary work that focuses on manufacturing and technical industries.  Many applicants have incomplete training, which limits the number of jobs we can post them to.  Growing appeal to temporary work and the increasing shortage of skilled workers drove us to take action at company level rather than waiting until we could impose our plan at sectoral level” Stahl explains.  “We chose to use an example to prove our point, which doesn’t mean that the fund isn’t open to any other interested company and all our colleagues from the German Trade Union Confederation.”  Organizations willing to join the fund will not have to negotiate a company agreement, simply to join the organization – simply acknowledging the operating principles of the company agreement signed between Technikum and the IG BCE. 
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

E and the company which has now become Technikum were discussing a company agreement. Training is a particularly sensitive issue in temporary work that focuses on manufacturing and technical industries. Many applicants have incomplete training, which limits the number of jobs we can post them to. Growing appeal to temporary work and the increasing shortage of skilled workers drove us to take action at company level rather than waiting until we could impose our plan at sectoral level” Stahl e

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: Decathlon introduces a ‘duty to respect others’ right to disconnect’
A right-to-disconnect agreement was signed in late September for the French arm of the Decathlon sports retail group. It sets out a "duty to respect others’ right to disconnect" and provides...
14 November 2025
Bulgaria: government proposes 12.6% minimum wage rise for 2026
On 30 October, the Bulgarian government proposed a 12.6% increase in the minimum wage to take effect from 1 January 2026. This increase was determined according to the usual mechanism, as Bulgaria...
14 November 2025
EU: right and far right join forces in parliament to dismantle sustainability due diligence
On 13 November, the European Parliament approved the report by EPP MEP Jörgen Warborn on the proposed omnibus directive, clearing the way for trilogue negotiations. Backed by the far right, the...
13 November 2025
France: TotalEnergies steps up commitment on disability
On 9 October, French energy group TotalEnergies and all representative trade unions signed a new four-year agreement on disability inclusion. Taking effect on 1 January 2026, the deal aims to help...
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
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
2
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
3
France: Decathlon introduces a ‘duty to respect others’ right to disconnect’
A right-to-disconnect agreement was signed in late September for the French arm of the Decathlon sports retail group. It sets out a "duty to respect others’ right to disconnect" and provides...
14 November 2025
4
United Kingdom largely retained within scope of EWCs despite Brexit, study shows
A study published this month by the Institute for Economic and Social Research, the French trade union research organisation, examined how the involvement of British representatives in European...
5
Romania: collective agreement extended to entire insurance sector
On 3 November, Romania’s National Tripartite Council for Social Dialogue approved the extension of the collective labour agreement signed on 23 May by the Confederation of Employers in the...
6
Italy: new collective agreement for managers in tertiary sector
On 5 November, the ManagerItalia union and the employers’ association Confcommercio renewed the collective agreement for managers in Italy’s tertiary, distribution and services...