Germany's Federal Ministry of Labor Plans to Cut Over 123,000 Occupational Health and Safety Positions
The German Federal Ministry of Labor intends to eliminate more than 123,000 occupational health and safety positions as part of a plan to reduce bureaucracy.
According to a document cited by the German press, this measure aims to relieve companies of administrative obligations related to occupational safety while maintaining the level of protection. It would allow the German economy to save around 135 million euros.
Companies with fewer than 50 employees would no longer be required to designate an occupational health and safety representative, while those with up to 250 employees could limit themselves to just one.
Federal Labor Minister Bärbel Bas wants to simplify the regulations by eliminating several categories of representatives and integrating certain provisions into existing regulations.
According to the media, Germany currently has nearly 670,000 occupational health and safety representatives. Until now, companies with more than 20 employees have been required to designate at least one.
These measures are part of the federal government's dual objective of modernizing occupational safety and adapting it more closely to real risks, while promoting digitalization to reduce bureaucratic burdens.
Key Points:
- Over 123,000 occupational health and safety positions to be cut
- Measure aims to reduce administrative obligations for companies
- Companies with fewer than 50 employees exempt from designating a representative
- Companies with up to 250 employees can have just one representative
- Estimated savings for the German economy: 135 million euros
- Current number of occupational health and safety representatives in Germany: nearly 670,000
