Germany: social partners set up “Retail Trade Council” to face demographic ageing via collective agreements

On February 11, the retail trade employers’ organization (HDE) and the Verdi services union announced a new “Retail Trade Council.”  It is in line with broader action launched in 2012 to prepare the service industry (trade, transportation…) to face demographic ageing within the framework of collective agreements.  Even though the average employee in the sector isn’t as old as in manufacturing, services will also be faced with massive departures within 10-15 years.  Besides, they have to get ready for the increase in retirement age.  Finally, the social partners’ action, in services in general and trade in particular, also aims to stabilize workers.  Indeed, they are increasingly looking at ‘older’ rival sectors, e.g. machine-tool, automotive or chemistry.  In a sector with a lot of SMEs but with limited financial capability and staffing, the Retail Trade Council will work at the same time like an observatory of good practices and like a think-tank in charge of coming up with solutions for all businesses in the sector.  Adjusting working time, protecting labor, health policies or even the creation of “demographic funds” are on the Council’s agenda.