Fewer temporary workers employed in nursing

09.07.2012 01:23

“When assessing temporary work in nursing services, the focus was once again only on mere figures and interpreted as one saw fit,” said iGZ managing director Werner Stolz in response to criticism from politicians about the increasing number of temporary workers in nursing services.

According to the BA's statistical report, a total of 20,045 temporary workers were employed in the healthcare sector as of June 30, 2011. Compared to the current number of 16,350, this would mean a decrease of 3,695 workers, i.e. 18.43 percent. This is not surprising, as the average rate of hiring temporary workers into the company's own permanent staff is currently 36 percent, according to the iGZ SME barometer. In addition, it is ignored that temporary work was financially the much more attractive alternative until the minimum wage for the healthcare system was introduced in August 2010.

Excessive payment

Many temporary employment agencies offered and are offering above-standard payment in addition to the iGZ-DGB tariff - the bottom line is that the pay is higher than according to TVöD K. "The clock ticks differently, especially in the healthcare system, because here the highly specialized nursing staff often dictate the price," proudly pointed out the reality of the increasing shortage of skilled workers. The relationships have been completely lost sight of: “Of around 2.8 million employees in the health sector, 16,350 are employed through temporary employment, and a fraction of these work as nursing assistants in the lower pay levels,” explained the managing director. Overall, the market share of the temporary employment industry in the German economy is less than three percent.

Wage equalization

Politicians must finally say goodbye to the dirty image of temporary employment. “The most recent collective agreements to equalize the wages of permanent staff and temporary employees eliminate previous wage imbalances,” emphasized the iGZ managing director. Negotiations are currently ongoing with the social partners to implement wage equalization in other sectors.

According to Stolz, demand in nursing is continually increasing “because employees are demanding more and more flexibility. The temporary work instrument is then used as a means of quickly responding to staff shortages and fluctuations.”

Flexible working hours

The advantage for temporary workers is that they can flexibly structure their working times according to their own quota. It should not be ignored that temporary workers, just like any other German employee, also have a permanent employment relationship with regular pay and also enjoy all the usual social benefits. They are in a better position than many employees in other sectors: “According to the iGZ SME barometer, 83 percent have a permanent employment contract and 68 percent receive wages above the collective agreement,” explained Stolz. If there are deficiencies in the healthcare system, the causes lie elsewhere, “but not in temporary employment,” says Stolz. (WLI)