Employmentweb_low

EmploymEnT, woRk, and hEalTh inEqualiTiEs - a global perspective
germany: when persons in full-time jobs, of equal education, equal
age, and in similar companies are compared, men earn 12% more
than women (Hinz & gartner, 2005).
overall, 1.3 million working persons received additional social
benefits because their salaries fell below the cut-off level for social
welfare. This number includes nearly 500,000 with full-time jobs. It
is estimated that 1.9 million are working in underpaid jobs and do
not ask for additional social benefits because they feel ashamed or
do not know how to apply. With them live about one million children
(Becker, 2006).
The percentage of employees organised in trade unions
decreased from 1991 to 2001 from 47.1 per cent to 36.1 per cent for
men and from 31.8 per cent to 19.8 per cent for women (gesellschaft
sozialwissenschaftlicher struktureinrichtungen, 2007). The
percentage of labour contracts in obligatory collective tariff
agreements is steadily decreasing (from 69% to 57% in old states,
and from 56% to 41% in new states). other contracts are either
"aligned" with collective labour agreements or the result of free
negotiation (Institut für arbeitsmarkt und Berufsforschung, 2007).
unemployment insurance is mandatory for all employees in
germany. Contributions are 6.5 per cent of the gross monthly salary,
split between employee and employer. any unemployed person who
has paid into the unemployment insurance for at least twelve months
is entitled to a monthly allowance (known as "unemployment benefit I,"
or alg1) which equals 60-67 per cent of the last net income, and is
generally discontinued after twelve months (Bundesministerium für
arbeit und soziales, 2006). after that period, persons still without a
source of subsistence can apply for the social benefit known as
"unemployment benefit II" (alg2-as mentioned above, also paid to
low-wage workers). alg2 is financed by taxes, and pay-out is assessed
according to a minimal basket of commodities (347 Euros for basic
needs plus contributions for rent and insurance). since 2005,
recipients of social benefits can be required to accept state 1-Euro jobs
(state work-creation schemes) (Bundesministerium der Justiz, 2007).
statutory health insurance in germany covered nearly 88 per cent of
the population in 2003. It is based on the "principle of solidarity" where
the claim for benefits is based on need and not on the individual deposit.
membership is compulsory for all low- to middle-income employees,
which provides the insurance with a stable financing scheme. only
persons exceeding a salary threshold of 3,975 Euros/month are free to
choose a private insurance.
Institutions for statutory accident insurance and prevention
assume liability for the consequences of occupational accidents,
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