Germany: IG Metall signs an agreement reducing partial unemployment costs and extending fixed-term contracts

day, April 15th by the IG Metall union and the Sudwestmetall employers’ federation in southern Germany opens the way for the renewal of fixed-term contracts for four years instead of two and for a substantial decrease of employers’ subsidies to increase the wages of people under partial unemployment. The agreement is valid until the end of 2010, concerns 800.000 employees and could be extended to other Lander. In exchange, the IG Metall obtained job security for the partially unemployed. (Ref.