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Berlin (dpa) - Uncertainty and frustration, annoyance about back and forth in the Corona policy: The mood in the German economy has not gotten better, Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier felt on Thursday at the "Economic Summit".
Business associations warned of the consequences of a possible hard lockdown.
In addition, there are threatened legal requirements for companies about test offers for employees.
Uncertainty has become a "permanent condition"
"The current Corona situation is unfortunately still serious," said Altmaier (CDU) after the digital consultations that lasted almost the whole day.
The Minister of Economic Affairs had to listen to a lot.
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The situation in the "closed retail trade" is still disastrous, said the chief executive of the HDE trade association, Stefan Genth.
The insecurity had become a "permanent condition", complained the managing director of the Federal Association of Medium-Sized Enterprises, Markus Jerger.
As a result of the stringing together of wrong policies, the lockdown hovers "as the sword of Damocles over us".
What's next with the lockdown?
Actually, the federal and state governments want to discuss the further course in the crisis next Monday - although there is now a shift due to major differences of opinion.
According to a government spokeswoman, Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) is in favor of a “short uniform lockdown” after CDU boss Armin Laschet had spoken out in favor of a “bridge lockdown”.
But the idea is highly controversial.
There is also the question of whether the federal government should ensure more binding regulations through the Infection Protection Act.
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During the consultations with Altmaier, according to participants, there was great uncertainty as to what exactly a lockdown would mean - i.e. whether it would also affect industry.
Criticism of corona policy is getting louder
The criticism of politics has grown louder again: "The ad hoc mode of the past few months is not a permanent solution for an industrial country that is in global competition," said Joachim Lang, General Manager of the Federation of German Industries (BDI): "It doesn't work solely about whether it will be opened or closed, but it must also be clarified when and how. "
In addition, there is anger that the federal government could impose legal requirements on corona tests in companies.
The economy is resisting it with all its might.
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It points to significant progress in the expansion of test offers.
But there are delivery problems.
A legal obligation would create more bureaucracy in the middle of the crisis.
40% of employees do not receive a test offer
Altmaier jumped to the side of the economy at this point.
The minister is skeptical of legal requirements for companies, as he made clear according to information from participants during the deliberations.
If you regulate something, it also has to be controlled.
But it would take weeks to set up such controls - during this time the vaccination campaign will pick up speed.
The Ministry of Labor, on the other hand, called it unsatisfactory that around 40 percent of employees are currently not receiving a test offer - and referred to the results of surveys on behalf of the Ministry of Labor and Economics.
Rapid tests: a lot of persuasion still needed
Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) has repeatedly made it clear in the past that he is in favor of a binding regulation if there is insufficient testing in the world of work, said a spokesman: “The Federal Labor Ministry has prepared appropriate regulations and can implement them quickly.
The Federal Government will make the decision on this in a timely manner. "
The survey also showed that only 46 percent of employees accept a corona test offer in companies.
The proportion of those employed in presence is slightly higher at 57 percent - so a lot of persuasion is still required.
After the renewed “summit” with representatives from more than 40 associations, Altmaier explained: “Rapid vaccination progress and the consistent use of rapid tests are crucial in this phase of the pandemic so that the economy as a whole can also improve."
Third corona wave: growth forecasts are falling
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After a corona-related slump in economic output in 2020, the signs this year point to growth again, supported primarily by the export-strong industry.
Sectors such as the hospitality industry or parts of the retail trade continue to see themselves heavily burdened by the officially ordered closings.
Against this background and the third corona wave, economies have recently lowered their growth forecasts.
Altmaier pointed out that the federal government has decided on additional aid - according to associations, many companies have hardly any financial reserves.
The criticism of the billion dollar programs, however, does not stop.
In particular, the sectors affected by closures are calling for further improvements.
"It is essential to extend the bridging aid beyond June until the end of the year," said the President of the German Travel Association (DRV), Norbert Fiebig.
Wollseifer: "Further loads are not acceptable"
But above all, the economy demands one thing from politics: more reliability.
A binding agreement on a nationwide uniform catalog of measures is elementary for the necessary acceptance in the population and in the economy, said Guido Zöllick, President of the German Hotel and Restaurant Association (Dehoga).
It must be clearly regulated which restrictions or relaxations apply when certain values are reached.
Crafts President Hans Peter Wollseifer also demanded that there should be reliability instead of hasty openings and short closings: "Further burdens on companies are not acceptable."
© dpa-infocom