Berlin, January 5, 2021.

Commenting on the labour market figures for 2020 published today, Steffen Kampeter, Chief Executive of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations, said:

The German labour market has so far come through the pandemic with a black eye. In particular, the short-time allowance has secured employment and prevented unemployment. What matters now is that policymakers set the right course and facilitate a rapid return to growth. This includes a smart and comprehensive vaccination strategy that is coordinated with both parliaments and the business community. Because one thing is clear: increasing the speed of vaccination is a key competitive advantage. The faster large parts of the population are vaccinated, the faster the economy can recover and thus secure employment.