1,760 Construction Workers in Saarlouis District Do Not Have to Hang Up Their Tools for the Winter

Von Redaktion Institutionen | 29.11.2024 20:33 | Lesedauer: 2 minutes

How construction workers get through winter: When work on building sites comes to a halt due to freezing temperatures, none of the approximately 1,760 construction employees in the Saarlouis district need to worry about their jobs. The Industrial Union for Construction, Agriculture, and Environment

IG BAU | Tobias Seifert

Even if winter is too frosty for construction: Jobs and wages continue thanks to

When construction comes to a halt due to freezing temperatures, seasonal short-time work benefits help.

From December 1st, the so-called seasonal short-time work allowance (seasonal-Kug – formerly bad weather allowance) allows the continued employment of construction workers. They then receive compensation from the employment agency amounting to up to 67 percent of their net wage. The IG BAU refers to this as a "winter bridge," which as many as possible of the 160 construction companies in the Saarlouis district should use. Even if construction work comes to a halt due to ice and snow, layoffs are thus avoided – skilled workers remain in the industry,” says Ute Langenbahn, Chairwoman of IG BAU Saar-Trier.

If orders can no longer be completed due to winter weather, it is even sufficient to inform the employment agency retrospectively: construction companies only need to report who worked and for how long. This allows each company to plan freely and respond flexibly to any weather. For Ute Langenbahn, it is clear: “The regulation saves companies a lot of paperwork and administrative hassle. There are no reasonable arguments not to use the seasonal-Kug.”

The bad weather allowance helps both employees and companies: “One side has a clear perspective and stable income. The other can rely on their experienced staff in spring and does not have to hire anew,” explains Langenbahn.

The seasonal short-time work allowance is “basically a safety net during bad weather.” However, it cannot be used arbitrarily: “Before companies in the Saarlouis district access the seasonal-Kug, they must first check whether employees can take on other tasks within the company – i.e., tasks that can be done indoors,” says Ute Langenbahn. They also need to consider old vacation days and working time accounts.

Construction companies, roofing trades, as well as garden and landscaping businesses can benefit from the seasonal-Kug. The employment agency pays the benefit between December and March. In scaffolding work, the bad weather period already began in November.