8 September, 200945,000 people participate in IG Metall rally call for a good life with secure jobs.
GERMANY: Around 45,000 union members from all parts of Germany came to the Frankfurt Stadium on Saturday September 5 to participate in the day of action organised by the IMF affiliate IG Metall.
The action was part of the campaign 'Together for a good life' (Gemeinsam für ein gutes Leben) organised by IG Metall and aimed at expressing workers' discontent with current policies in the country and to state workers' demands for a 'good life', the most important of which is job security. For more information go to: http://www.gutes-leben.de/
The day of action composed several stages starting with a morning rally of young IG Metall members. Young workers worried about their future prospects in terms of job security and permanent employment went through Frankfurt streets and chanted: "This must be different!The future belongs to us!"
Later the action continued at Frankfurt stadium where union members demanded fundamental changes in business and politics of the country and a fairer society. The day of action was held on the eve of German Federal elections.
IG Metall's call for a good life and job security echoes the call that metalworkers from around the world will make during the global week of action from October 3 to 10 in the campaign against precarious work.
The impact of the global financial crisis on workers is the theme of IMF's action this year. Affiliates are taking the fight to governments, calling on them to strengthen legislation to prevent employers from using precarious employment in place of permanent and direct employment.