For almost one third of people in Germany, spontaneous expenses of 1,150 euros are not manageable. According to a study by the Federal Statistical Office, 31.9 percent of the population lacked financial reserves for unexpected bills last year, such as car repairs or reimbursements for heating costs. The district association Neunkirchen of the Christian Democratic Employees' Association (CDA) is now calling for targeted measures.
CDA district chairman Andy Strassel explains: “The numbers clearly show that many people lack a proper income to build up savings. This worked well for a long time because many consumer goods were affordable. The rising energy and food prices are putting many households in distress. Certainly, a better savings mentality is needed, but with low incomes, it is hardly possible to put anything aside. And this affects one fifth of the population. In 2021, they had a net income of less than 16,300 euros per year.” Thomas W. Schmitt, deputy district chairman and state managing director of the CDA Saar, emphasizes: “In the short term, government aid measures must focus precisely on this income group. The financial worries and burdens of the people who belong to this group must be taken seriously. In the long term, we in Germany must overcome the low-wage sector – the best way to do this is through higher collective bargaining coverage. Here we can all make a difference, but so can politics. For example, with the general applicability of collective agreements or the observance of collective agreements in public contracts.”
The Christian Democratic Employees' Association (CDA) is the social wing of the CDU. Its members are primarily active in areas of social policy such as the labor market, pensions, care, and health. More information is available on the internet at www.cda-bund.de
