"One year after the government took office, the initial expectations of an economic policy breakthrough have given way to noticeable disillusionment and, in many places, clear frustration within the skilled trades," explains Jörg Dittrich, President of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts. (Photo: © cbies/123RF.com)
Read aloud:
May 2026
Frustration with reforms instead of economic growth: That's the conclusion of the skilled trades sector on the anniversary of the black-red coalition government. Hopes for a turnaround in reforms have so far not been fulfilled.
The black-red coalition government took office a year ago. So far, it has failed to fulfill the hopes of the skilled trades. "One year after the government took office, the initial expectation of a new economic policy has given way to noticeable disillusionment and, in many places, clear frustration within the skilled trades," explains Jörg Dittrich, President of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts.
Hopes for a reform turnaround have not yet been fulfilled. "Instead of relief and structural reforms, the impression is of piecemeal measures that have no lasting effect and have rather perpetuated, in some cases even increased, but certainly not reduced the burdens in day-to-day operations. Only Germany has remained stagnant for years without growth."
The distributional conflicts between public budgets, social security systems, and the necessary investments in the public and private sectors are not helpful in this regard. Dittrich calls for more investment and lower labor costs. It's not about individual measures, but about a comprehensive package that will make growth possible again in the first place.
Instead, reform policies are being implemented in isolated steps, without a discernible overall strategy and without the aim of ultimately achieving a noticeable net reduction in costs for businesses and employees. Dittrich: "Measures are being introduced one after the other and then talked to death again, instead of being brought together under one framework. This creates uncertainty for businesses and stifles investment. What's needed is a coherent plan for Germany."
Craft policy
Craft policy
Craft policy
There are still too few tax relief measures. No coherent approach is discernible that integrates taxes, levies, energy, labor, and bureaucracy. Labor remains too expensive, and social security contributions and bureaucracy continue to rise. Working time regulations are also increasingly out of touch with business realities. Energy policy lacks a reliable perspective for all companies. "Competitiveness must not be a matter of chance based on isolated decisions. The inadequate reforms jeopardize business models and lead to the loss of thousands of jobs."
DHB now also digital!Simply click here and register for the digital German Crafts Journal (DHB)!
Newsletter
Write a comment