MIV calls for flexible work time for dairies
Eckard Heuser
Due to the rise in coronavirus infections in Germany, the German dairy industry association (MIV) is calling on the federal government to immediately make preventive legal regulations and derogations together with the federal states, so the dairies can have more flexible working time management and thereby have a secure production of milk and milk products for the consumers.
“Due to the current infection events and the associated quarantine requirements, there is a risk that there is a significant part of the employees in the dairy industry will be away from work for weeks. Without the possibility of flexible working time controls, this would lead to a significant bottleneck in production and logistics and endanger the security of supply of milk and milk products”, says Eckhard Heuser, chief manager at the MIV.
“We need a legal order, which allows for more flexible working time management to operate the dairy industry with the elevated infection and quarantine numbers,” continues Heuser.
On the MIV wish list are, among other things, the possibility of Sunday work and 12-hour shift.
As the dairy industry has a significant responsibility for supplying the population with staple foods and are in close connection with the milk producers, whose cows give milk every day, it’s important for the dairy industry that things go smoothly.
“It is important to maintain the chain from milk production to the processing to the shelves of trade regardless of the violent external influences. This has so far been well done, what we are proud of,” states Heuser.
