BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Just before the first strikes in the construction industry, employers want to voluntarily raise wages for employees. The Federation of the German Construction Industry (HDB) and the Central Association of the German Construction Industry (ZDB) jointly proposed to the companies on Wednesday to increase wages by 5 percent in the West and 6 percent in the East. The lowest wage group 1 should also increase to 14 euros per hour nationwide on May 1, they announced in Berlin on Wednesday.

This is a temporary solution, said HDB vice-chairwoman Jutta Beeke in a statement. "The employees should not suffer as a result of the wage dispute. They deserve an increase in pay," explained chief negotiator Uwe Nostitz.

In the still unresolved wage dispute in the German construction industry with around 930,000 employees, the employers had rejected the arbitrator's decision. According to the agreement, wages were to increase by a flat rate of 250 euros in May and a further 4.15 percent in the west and 4.95 percent in the east eleven months later. IG Bauen-Agrar-Umwelt, on the other hand, had signaled its acceptance.

Following the failure of arbitration, the union has announced far-reaching strikes, but has not yet named any specific dates or regions for the industrial action. The head of the union, Robert Feiger, had threatened that strikes would affect both large companies and small craft businesses. It will be more expensive for employers, as IG BAU is now striking again for its original demand of 500 euros more per month for everyone for a period of just one year.

The construction industry is one of the largest employers in Germany and an important sector with a turnover of around 162 billion euros in 2023. It had supported the economy for years during the real estate boom, but has now become a problem child due to the crisis in residential construction./ceb/DP/mis