Democracy in Germany, also in Freiburg, seems to be before the suspension due to the crisis. Local councils no longer meet in public, and denunciation appears to be the method of choice for individuals. Even if we find numerous measures to protect our health right, we have no understanding that neighbors, for example, will be spied on and reported if they do not comply with the distance rules. Public calls to report fellow citizens have lost nothing in a democracy. We demand that the municipal council now meet again in public.
The corona crisis is currently affecting numerous people in our city. This also includes a large number who face major financial problems despite their work. Now it is particularly revenge that precarious work in Freiburg has almost become normal. The majority of these employees are not protected by collective agreements, and people do not have works councils or staff councils to support them.
In addition, a large number of self-employed, bogus self-employed, franchisees, interns, etc. are practically defenseless. Fears about the future are increasing dramatically. We therefore propose that the local council decide to stop renting all apartments immediately and continue to set a good example at Freiburg’s urban development. There must be no layoffs because people can no longer pay the rent! In addition, it should be checked whether and where rents can even be reduced.
We also demand that public contracts from the city and its subsidiaries are only awarded to companies with works councils that are bound by collective agreements. In particular, this can prevent the gap between precarious and tariff-protected work from opening more and more.
We note that if health systems had not been broken in recent years, then some measures that are currently putting a heavy strain on the public budget would probably not be necessary. We therefore call for an immediate reversal: health must not be a commodity!
Public budgets are heavily burdened by the crisis. After the crisis, those responsible will look for ways to save. We call for the social and health sectors to be excluded from cuts.
(Info: ver.di – United services union, district administration South Baden Black Forest)
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