Campaign against excessive bureaucracy

The Steinfurt-Warendorf Chamber of Crafts and the local banks say "No, thank you!" to the mass of forms.

This article is part of the special topic Bureaucratic madness in the craft industry

Rules are beneficial, over-regulation is harmful. The Steinfurt-Warendorf Chamber of Crafts and Trades (KH) and the region's cooperative and savings banks are voicing their opinion on this point. They have launched the campaign "Bureaucracy. No Thanks!" in anticipation of the federal election. 

Following their initiative against bureaucracy and over-regulation during the last NRW state election year, the partners are now taking it up a notch. Under the hashtag #einfachmachen, they are highlighting excessive bureaucracy in short films with exaggerated and humorous examples. They are thus part of the skilled trades' initiative to provide politicians with concrete examples and propose ways to reduce bureaucracy. A comprehensive collection compiled by the Central Association of German Skilled Crafts presents suggestions from the skilled trades to create more freedom for businesses.

No rejection of order and rules

With this caricature and the "no thanks" stamp, the hospitals and credit institutions are drawing attention to their commitment to reducing bureaucracy. Photo: © Steinfirt-Warendorf Chamber of Crafts

The campaign is not directed against bureaucracy, order, laws, and rules per se. These are essential to a society and a functioning economic system, KH and banks emphasize in a press release. What they are fighting against is the excessive bureaucracy and regulations that block businesses to the point of endangering their existence. KH points out that in some skilled trades, 40 percent of the workday is spent on statistics and documentation. The situation is no less dramatic for financial institutions, they say. As a result of the financial crisis, they are forced to inundate customers with a flood of information and paperwork.

With this initiative, the partners aim to reach the general public as well as decision-makers in politics and business. "We want fewer regulations and more trust in the sense of responsibility of companies," explains Frank Tischner, Managing Director of the KH (Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry), on behalf of the skilled trades. "The joint project makes it clear that the goal is not only to relieve the burden of excessive regulation, but also to protect customers without confusing or patronizing them with a mass of forms and information," emphasizes Dietmar Dertwinkel, Regional Director South of Volksbank Münsterland Nord. Other supporters are Volksbank Ochtrup-Laer eG, Volksbank eG (in the Warendorf district), Kreissparkasse Steinfurt, and Kreissparkasse Münsterland Ost.

 

Background Nine approximately two-and-a-half-minute films depict "the bureaucratic madness" in craft businesses and banks, which affects not only them but also their customers. The lead role is played by Münster actor Christoph Tiemann. He is supported by guild members and employees of Volksbanken. The films are available on the Internet.

Further news from the district of the Chamber of Crafts Münster