Employment policy for a just transition – the example of Germany

Abstract

The green transformation and Industry 4.0 are associated with considerable risks for workers in countries with dual labour markets such as Germany. The biggest risks are wage losses due to the involuntary transition into the precarious secondary labour market and insufficient education and training for the new ‘green’ jobs. Institutional reforms are necessary for a ‘just transition’. The ongoing reforms in Germany in education and training and wage setting show that the transition is a critical juncture in which new stakeholder constellations have the opportunity for non-path-dependent changes from a dual to an inclusive employment system with better work. The approaches adopted in recent German reforms are of overarching interest. Featuring the strongest manufacturing base in Europe, Germany is under particularly high pressure to fully embrace the green transformation and digitalisation. The country has learned from other countries and, conversely, can perhaps also help trigger a just transition in other countries.

Introduction. Making work better

“…Gerhard Bosch (2023) outlines the huge challenge that the comprehensive structural change required for the decarbonisation of the economy poses to the world of work. Better work is at the heart of this transformation.…”

“…Over the past decades, neoliberalism has undermined many of the conditions required to meet the challenge of the major structural changes currently underway. This is the crux of the contribution by Bosch (2023) who argues that the erosion of an inclusive institutional framework undermines the capacity of the German economy to negotiate the green transition. He contrasts exclusive employment systems where transition costs are high with inclusive ones where these costs are much lower, thus facilitating structural change.…”

“…For Tregaskis and Nandi (2023), meeting important training needs requires greater input from unions and social action groups. For Abdelnour, Julliard and Méda (2023) and Bosch (2023), only a social model that guarantees robust rights can ease the way to the digital and green economy. For Hammer (2023), the underlying weakness of the variety of experimentations in apparel value chains is linked to the absence of strong state enforcement and the weakness of collective action through civil society associations and trade unions.…”

Introduction : Améliorer le travail

“…Pour Murray, Gesualdi-Fecteau, Lévesque et Roby ( 2023), les enjeux sont liés au sens du travail et à la démocratie en elle-même. Pour Bosch (2023), l'amélioration du travail n'est rien de moins qu'une condition essentielle à la survie de la planète.…”

“…Ce cas montre comment les syndicats peuvent recourir à des stratégies expérimentales pour lutter contre les modèles étroits d'organisation du travail et pour stimuler l'investissement dans les compétences et l'autonomie des travailleur•euses: il faut veiller à l'équilibre des pouvoirs, afin de s'assurer que les intérêts des travailleur•euses et la voix collective pèsent suffisamment lourd dans la prise de décision. Bosch (2023) souligne également les possibilités pour les syndicats de s'engager dans des expérimentations visant une amélioration du travail. Il évoque ainsi l'initiative allemande de politique publique et des organisations syndicales en faveur d'accords tournés vers l'avenir et portant sur les transformations numériques.…”