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Our aim: to get to the heart of the matter in a nutshell.
Economic facts. News facts. Association facts. Political facts. Our facts.
What issues move us? How is our economy working to promote Germany as a business location?
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Issue 02/24:
We entrepreneurs have lost a lot of trust in the federal government
"There can only be a strong country with a strong economy," says Employers' President Dr. Rainer Dulger in the current Viewpoint and goes on to explain why entrepreneurs in our country have lost a lot of trust in the German government. The current issue of Agenda also sheds light on the issue of skills shortages and presents a current BDA position paper in which we break down which reforms are necessary to promote the employment of older workers. Dr. Andreas Eurich's commentary of the week is also dedicated to this topic: against the backdrop of the increasing demand for qualified specialists, he calls for a rethink of the skills shortage - the future belongs to mixed-age teams. These and other topics await you in the current BDA agenda.
Issue 01/24:
Our country needs a fundamental overhaul of the citizens' income system
"Our country needs a fundamental overhaul of the citizen's income system," says Steffen Kampeter and calls on politicians to provide more incentives to work. In the Comment of the Week, Handelsblatt's chief economist Prof. Dr. Bert Rürup takes a close look at economic development in 2023: Where does Germany stand in an international comparison? We also take a look at the EU: Belgium took over the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the first half of the year on January 1, 2024. What priorities will Belgium set? These and other topics await you in the current BDA agenda.
Issue 26/23:
Budget 2024: breathing space, but no solution - much remains to be done
Regarding the 2024 budget decision, Employers' President Dr. Rainer Dulger says in the latest Standpunkt: "The good news is that a decision has been made and all those politically responsible have made compromises." Any non-decision would have been worse for the location. Nevertheless, there is still a lot to do - the resolutions are a pause for breath, but not sustainable solutions. BDA Managing Director Steffen Kampeter emphasizes in the Comment of the Week that the Minimum Wage Commission has done a decent job and refers to a recent study by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB). This scientifically proves that the claim that "the minimum wage is not rising and is not high enough" is false. In the topic of the week, we take a look at the reintroduction of telephone sick notes. You can read about these and other topics here:
Issue 25/23:
Act!
"Following the Constitutional Court ruling on budget trickery, politicians seem to be in a state of shock and expectation of doom," says Employers' President Dr. Rainer Dulger and calls on politicians to take action in the current BDA agenda position. In the guest commentary of the week, NORDMETALL President Folkmar Ukena also calls the ruling a wake-up call to politicians and calls on the traffic light to rethink its economic policy. We also present the BDA position paper "10 recommendations for the training and further education of teachers" and invite you to a virtual lunch talk on the topic of social policy. You can find these and other topics in the current BDA agenda.
Issue 24/23:
We need to talk about the value of work and advancement through education!
In the latest Standpunkt, employer president Dr. Rainer Dulger talks about the value of work and advancement through education. "Everything starts with education. Advancement through education must once again become a valid promise in this country. To achieve this, politicians must finally revolutionize the education system," he says. Martin Krengel, CEO of the WEPA Group, talks about the importance of systematically qualifying employees in the Comment of the Week. And the topic of the week sheds light on the planned budget consolidation at the expense of contributors. These and other topics await you in the latest BDA Agenda.
Issue 23/23:
It's the volume of work - what else!
The debate about the framework conditions for work is gathering pace. With the claim #MehrBockaufArbeit, BDA Managing Director Steffen Kampeter has started an important discussion: we need more flexibility and more net from gross. In his position on the current BDA agenda, he addresses what is needed for #MehrBockaufArbeit and calls on politicians to take action. The topic of the week deals with workplace health promotion. Healthy and motivated employees are the be-all and end-all for successful companies. The BDA has published a new special page on health promotion in this context. We are also pleased to have a comment of the week from Alexander von Preen. He is a new member of the BDA Vice-Presidium and a new member of the BDA Board and talks about the framework conditions for doing business in Germany. You can find these and other topics here.
Issue 22/23:
We must act now!
We look back on a successful German Employer Day 2023. Top-class speakers, an exciting program - our message on this day was clear: ACTION! We need to tackle the key areas of action now; reforms must finally be put on the delivery bill. From the Federal Chancellor to the Minister of Labor - everyone took this message with them. We have summarized the highlights of the day in a special AGENDA for #DAT2023.
Issue 21/23:
For-work migration and irregular migration must not be confused
"Employment migration and irregular migration must not be mixed up," says Employers' President Dr. Rainer Dulger and talks about the need for successful employment migration in the BDA agenda if we want to secure our prosperity! The topic of the week sheds light on the planned transfers at the expense of unemployment insurance and explains why the Minister of Labor cannot simply help himself to the contribution fund to relieve his budget. Prof. Dr. med. Dagmar Braun talks about migration prevention in the Comment of the Week. She has been supporting various projects in Africa for years, which show how simple means can be used to improve the lives of local people. These and other topics await you in the current BDA agenda.
Issue 20/23:
Health policy is ailing
"Health policy is ailing," says BDA Managing Director Steffen Kampeter in the latest Viewpoint. The topic of the week highlights the problem of EU supply chain regulation - there is a lot of room for improvement here. The German Employers' Day is getting closer and closer, the program for DAT2023 is ready! We will be discussing the important issues of our time in exciting and high-caliber panels. In this week's commentary, Stefan Moschko talks about a project to support school students in their career choices. These and other topics await you in the current BDA agenda.
Issue 19/23:
Germany is sleeping through the digital transformation
"Germany is the land of regulations and bureaucratic obstacles," says employer president Dr. Rainer Dulger. And warns in the current position that Germany is oversleeping the digital transformation. The Federal Chancellor's Germany Pact is a first step. However, we must now quickly rub the sleep from our eyes and finally tackle the problems in our country. In the topic of the week, we take a look at Federal Justice Minister Buschmann's push for a law to reduce bureaucracy and, with Dr. Thomas Ogilvie, take a look at Ludwig Erhard's blueprint for the social market economy in the 21st century in our commentary of the week. How can we ensure that tomorrow will be better than yesterday was? These and other topics can be found in the current BDA agenda.
Issue 18/23:
Against the trained citizen
"The market doesn't solve all problems - but the state obviously doesn't solve them either," states Steffen Kampeter in the current Standpunkt. Inspired by Reinhard Sprenger's book "Der dressierte Bürger", he warns against over-regulation by the state and calls for more economic freedom. In the Comment of the Week, MP Dagmar Schmidt talks about what our economy needs to meet the challenges of the future. The topic of the week sheds light on the Finance Minister's Economic Growth Act: Will the German government overcome its internal dispute? You can read about this and more in the new BDA agenda.
Issue 17/23:
Collective bargaining regulation harms the social partnership!
Collective bargaining autonomy in Germany is characterized by voluntarism, balance, compromise and consensus. The planned federal collective bargaining law is none of these things. In the current BDA AGENDA, employers' president Dr. Raine Dulger has clear words on the subject. In the Comment of the Week, BDA Executive Committee member Dr. Dirk Jandura talks about the challenges of the European Supply Chain Act for German companies. The summer of vocational training is currently taking place under the hashtag #AusbildungSTARTEN. Have all the training places in your company already been filled? These and other topics in the current BDA AGENDA.
Issue 16/23:
Now it's getting really serious: IMF sounds the alarm!
The International Monetary Fund has made it official: Germany has the red lantern in terms of economic growth. Steffen Kampeter finds clear words on this in the current Viewpoint: "Now things are getting really serious." Damian Boeselager proposes a Europe-wide jobs platform in the Comment of the Week. And the topic of the week is artificial intelligence: "We need a smart Europe-wide framework for the development and application of AI. The BDA and the BDI have defined important core demands in this regard. These and other topics await you in the current issue.
Issue 15/23:
We need a brake on social security contributions
Our social security systems are in urgent need of reform: politicians must not shift the burden onto the shoulders of those paying contributions. In the current issue, employer president Dulger calls on politicians to create sustainable improvements. This week's topic is dedicated to company internships for teachers and provides guidance for companies and schools on how to implement them. Pascal Kober MdB, social policy spokesperson for the FDP parliamentary group in the Bundestag, addresses the question "How do we manage to enable people to move up in the labor market once they have successfully entered it?" in the commentary of the week and calls for a promise of advancement, and much more.
Issue 14/23:
Minimum wage - facts instead of fake news!
In the current issue, Steffen Kampeter takes up the discussion about the minimum wage and clears up misunderstandings and misrepresentations. The topic of the week delves even deeper into the subject of the minimum wage. This time, vbw President Wolfram Hatz provides the exciting guest article on transformation and sustainability in supply chains. NEW: The BDA Digital Council's podcast on employee retention is now available - it's worth a listen! And much more.
Special edition 13/23:
#futurework23 - Dino Germany or Germany reloaded: Politics must shape the future!
At this year's #futurwork23 on the EUREF-Campus and in the livestream, we reassessed the latest challenges, trends and opportunities of the rapidly changing world of work together. Whether manager or entrepreneur, decision-maker from politics or trainee: the largest festival on the future of work in Germany once again offered a wealth of input, inspiration, exciting discussions and exchange! The best way to get an impression is to take a look for yourself.
Issue 12/23:
How sick is the healthcare system?
Our #healthcare system is increasingly ailing. In the new BDA #Agenda, #SteffenKampeter calls for reforms & personal responsibility. The topic of the week is also dedicated to financial stability and necessary structural reforms to health and long-term care insurance. Arndt G. Kirchhoff, President of unternehmer nrw, calls for national efforts to combat Germany's desolate state, and much more.
Issue 11/23:
How we keep Germany competitive
There are reasons why Germany has slipped into recession. The quality of our location is at risk. Our companies need political reforms so that they can operate successfully and innovatively," warns employers' president Dulger in the viewpoint of the current issue. This week's topic is the continuation of the Alliance for Initial and Further Training to attract young people. The guest article by BAVC President Dr. Kai Beckmann on the topic of transformation is also worth reading. Together with BCG, a working world analysis was produced.
Issue 10/23:
We need rules for fair strike action
In the current issue, Steffen Kampeter calls for clear rules for industrial action. They not only protect the right to strike, but also serve to establish collective bargaining and collective bargaining coverage. The interesting guest article by Christiane Benner, second chairwoman of IG Metall, is dedicated to the current topic of "Artificial AI and co-determination - the future has begun". Also: The topic of the week is the care reform, which continues to cause major financial and bureaucratic burdens, and much more.
Issue 09/23:
Social partnership needs clear demarcation from populism
On May 9, the collective agreement celebrates its 150th anniversary. It is an achievement for our society and the collective bargaining landscape, says the employer president in the current BDA agenda. Collective agreements have played and continue to play an essential role in shaping working conditions. Our topic of the week deals with cross-border mobile working and the applicable restrictions from a social security law perspective. There is also a guest article by Dr. Thomas A. Lange, Chairman of the Employers' Association of the Private Banking Industry, on the topic of mobile and hybrid work, which is well worth reading.
Issue 08/23:
Wake-up call for vocational training
The shortage of training and skilled workers is crushing companies. In the current issue, Steffen Kampeter calls for the German government to start recognizing vocational training on an equal footing with academic training. The topic of the week takes a critical look at family start times. Prof. Dr. Andrew Ullmann, who calls for a reform of our healthcare system, provides an exciting guest article.
Issue 07/23:
Entrepreneurship, ambition and creativity
The prosperity of our country and our social security system are based on hard work and efficient, innovative companies. Employers' President Dulger would therefore like to see the federal government take note of this problem, change the framework conditions - and focus on entrepreneurship, ambition and creativity. This week's topic is the upcoming conciliation procedure on whistleblower protection. There is also a guest article by employment law expert Gregor Thüsing on the current EU draft directive on platform work, which is well worth reading.
Issue 06/23:
A chance for a new German speed
With a view to the meeting of the coalition committee, BDA Managing Director Steffen Kampeter therefore calls for the opportunity for a new speed of Germany to be seized. A lot is being announced by the federal government - but little is happening because there is no consensus. This also applies to the complicated procedures for the immigration of skilled workers. Dr. Markus Pieper MEP sees our competitiveness at risk in his guest article. The topic of the week is excellent entrepreneurial commitment to vocational training. And much more.
Issue 05/23:
We need the courage to change
In the BDA Agenda, employers' president Dulger calls on the German government to have the courage to change in order to avoid becoming the sick man of Europe again. Magdalena Rogl from Microsoft Germany explains why empathy is the basis for diversity and inclusion in the Comment of the Week. Other topics in this issue include the shortage of skilled workers, mobile working and the EU social security card, and much more.
Issue 04/23:
Daring more sustainability & social progress
Instead of more sustainability and social progress, bureaucracy and control madness are being promoted, warns BDA Managing Director Steffen Kampeter in the viewpoint of the current issue. The quality of schools urgently needs to be improved. This is the topic of the week. There is also a guest article by Ingrid Hofmann that is well worth reading: she calls for more appreciation for companies.
Issue 03/23:
We need a new dynamic in the economy and the world of work!
In the BDA AGENDA, employer president Dr. Dulger outlines how we can achieve a new dynamic in the economy and the world of work. The guest commentary by Dr. Niggemann, Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, deals with the topic of "working time recording". In the new issue, you will also find insights into the exchange between the BDA Digital Council and the head of the Federal Chancellery Wolfgang Schmidt, information on social self-administration and the future of European social systems and the welfare state, and much more.
Issue 02/23:
Germany's quality as a business location at risk
Employer President Dr. Rainer Dulger believes that Germany's quality as a business location is at risk and addresses this issue in detail in the current issue of AGENDA. You will also find an article on the topic of "cutting red tape" using the example of the "basic pension" as well as a guest commentary by Ilka Horstmeier, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, in which she explains that innovations need freedom, and much more.
Issue 01/23:
Into the new year with strength and optimism
In the current issue, our Managing Director Steffen Kampeter looks ahead to 2023 and clearly formulates the topics that will be important this year. Judith Wiese, Member of the Managing Board and Labour Director of Siemens AG, emphasizes that due to a lack of skilled workers, companies must increase their attractiveness as an employer - not least through the training and further education of their own employees. In the AGENDA you will also find information on our "WORK MADE IN GERMANY" campaign and the Labor Law Congress, which will take place at the beginning of February 2023, as well as much more.
Issue 25/22:
A good start to the new year 2023!
In this year's last issue, employer president Dr. Rainer Dulger looks back on 2022. You will also find all the information on the electronic certificate of incapacity for work, which will be launched on January 1, 2023, an overview of the various ISWA seminars and much more.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Issue 24/22:
We need a new ambition!
"We once again need the strong will and courage to realize ideas and shape the future, the hunger for change," emphasizes our Managing Director Steffen Kampeter in the new BDA AGENDA. Also included: a guest commentary by Prof. Dr. Werding on "Structural Change & Deindustrialization", concrete proposals for a moratorium on burdens in the multi-crisis, a look at our digital skills initiative "Future Skills" and much more.
