Working That Summer: DGB Says Demand a Contract Before Your Job in the Holidays! 📝
Consider taking on a seasonal role exclusively with a written agreement in place, as advocated by the trade union. - Employment-based vacation work requires a contract of employment, ascertained by the trade union confederation.
It's crucial, according to the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), to always secure a written contract before starting a summer job during your holidays. As Christian Altkirch, trade union secretary for the DGB in Oldenburg-Ostfriesland region, put it, "All students should start their summer gig with a solid agreement in place."
This agreement should contain details about the tasks, working hours, and payment agreed upon before you dive into the job. Don't forget to sign it before you begin!
As for tasks and how long you can work, it depends on your age, as regulated by the Youth Employment Protection Act. light work such as gardening, delivering newspapers, or running errands is typically allowed. Appropriate and safe jobs are best for young people, avoiding heavy or hazardous tasks.
Who can work and the duration
Kids under 13 cannot work during summer holidays since they aren't allowed to enter into employment relationships. Students aged 13 or 14 need parental consent to work, working a maximum of 2 hours a day between 8 am to 6 pm, with a maximum of 3 hours a day allowed in agriculture alone.
Students aged 15 to 17 can take on various jobs, like those in catering or retail, but they can only work for 4 weeks during the holidays, working no more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week, with work hours between 6 am and 8 pm (except for older students aged 16 and above who can work until 10 pm in hospitality establishments).
Payment also varies with age. The Minimum Wage Act applies to summer jobs, but only full-time summer workers are entitled to the current minimum wage of 12.82 euros per hour. Minors without completed vocational training will not receive the minimum wage. The DGB advocates abolishing this regulation and fair pay for all summer workers.
- DGB's Employment Contract Push
- Summer Job
- Summer Holidays
- Trade Union Confederation
- Ferienjobs (German Summer Jobs)
Key Points to Remember:
- Having a written contract before starting a summer job is important, with details about tasks, working hours, and payment.
- Students under 18 are subject to Youth Labor Protection Act, limiting daily working hours to 8 hours, weekly hours to 40 hours, with breaks and rest periods mandated by law.
- Night work, Sundays, and public holidays are generally prohibited for minors.
- Work should be safe, appropriate, and avoid hazardous or risky environments.
- Jobs in retail, hospitality, office assistance, and agriculture are common summer jobs.
- Parental consent is required for students under 18, and registration for social insurance may be necessary for students working more than a marginal number of hours.
- Employers must comply with labor laws and collective agreements.
The DGB emphasizes workers' protection, ensuring safe working conditions, fair contracts, and legal compliance in summer jobs to prevent exploitation and promote workers' rights.
- The DGB, Trade Union Confederation, strongly advises that all students should secure a written contract before embarking on their summer jobs, encompassing details about tasks, working hours, and payment.
- In light of the Youth Employment Protection Act, appropriate summer jobs for students under 18 are those in retail, hospitality, agriculture, or office assistance, with daily working hours limited to 8 hours and weekly hours to 40 hours.
- Parental consent is necessary for students under 13 and those aged 13-14, while students aged 15-17 can work for up to 4 weeks during their summer holidays.
- The DGB advocates for the abolition of regulations that result in unfair pay for minors without completed vocational training, pushing for fair wages for all summer workers.
- Summer jobs should offer safe and appropriate work environments, avoiding heavy or hazardous tasks, and employers must adhere to labor laws and collective agreements, ensuring workers' rights and protection.
