Linke on work and social affairs

The Left wants Hamburg to reintroduce a state minimum wage, set at 15 euros an hour immediately. It would apply to city-owned enterprises, including sheltered workshops for people with disabilities. Bremen serves as the model; the party considers the federal minimum wage too low to prevent poverty.

The Left wants a separate minimum wage for Hamburg. It should be 15 euros an hour. It should apply in companies owned by the city. It should also apply in workshops for people with disabilities. Later the minimum wage should rise along with union pay scales.

Hamburg abolished its state minimum wage on January 1, 2017. The future level would follow the lowest pay grade in the collective agreement for state public employees (TV-L), as introduced in Bremen. The platform points to the EU minimum wage directive, under which an adequate minimum wage should reach 60 percent of the median wage, which would have been just over 14 euros in 2024. According to the platform, the federal minimum wage is 12.41 euros and rises to 12.82 euros in 2025.

The Left wants public contracts to go only to companies that comply with the applicable industry collective agreements. Business subsidies would also be tied to collective bargaining coverage and other criteria of good work. The aim is higher coverage; the party points to the EU target of 80 percent.

The city awards many contracts to companies. The Left wants only companies with a collective agreement to get contracts. A collective agreement sets pay and working hours for many workers. Subsidies should also go only to such companies. The city should check labor rules more strictly.

The current rule on sector-specific minimum pay would be replaced by full application of industry collective agreements. The thresholds of the procurement law would drop from 100,000 euros (supplies, services) and 150,000 euros (construction) to about 10,000 and 50,000 euros, as in Berlin. For subsidies, the platform adds criteria such as training rates and little use of temp work, service contracts or fixed-term contracts without objective reason; such fixed-term contracts would be banned in the public sector. It also calls for stronger co-determination in the staff representation law, reintegrating outsourced city subsidiaries, more staff at the occupational safety office and a specialized prosecutor's unit against union busting.

The Left wants a guarantee of vocational training and a levy paid by all companies that benefits those that train apprentices. Anyone leaving school with a diploma would have a right to a training place. It also calls for a continuing-education plan and a transformation council for industrial restructuring.

The Left wants everyone with a school diploma to get a training place. All companies should pay into a fund. Companies that train apprentices get money from the fund. People without a diploma should get preparation for training.

School leavers without a diploma would be entitled to qualifying pre-vocational training. A qualification and continuing-education plan is meant to prevent job losses. The transformation council would accompany industrial restructuring; alongside unions and employee representatives, environmental, climate, transport and social organizations would take part. Freelance contract staff would be paid according to collective agreements, and advice for solo self-employed people would be strengthened.

The Left wants Hamburg to push at the federal level for an end to sanctions in Bürgergeld (citizen's income). It favors a minimum income without sanctions, supportive services and social participation. In its view, the welfare state cannot work through cuts and sanctions.

People who get Bürgergeld (citizen's income) must follow rules. If not, the office cuts their money. This is called a sanction. The Left wants to end these cuts. Hamburg should push for this at the federal level. Every neighborhood should have social services.

Authorities should deal with people without sanctions and without discrimination. The platform calls for a guaranteed basic level of social infrastructure in every neighborhood, such as green spaces, non-commercial community rooms, neighborhood centers, playgrounds and free services for seniors, children and young people. As justification, it cites poverty figures: about 40 percent of single parents, migrants and large families are at risk of poverty, as is one in four children.

The Left wants to stop utilities from cutting off electricity or gas over unpaid bills and to set up a hardship fund for energy debts. People on benefits would also have more costs covered and get better service at public offices.

The Left wants to end energy shutoffs. A shutoff means the company turns off power or gas. A fund would help people with energy debts. Offices would cover more costs and give better advice.

The program calls for full coverage of the cost of initial household furnishings, appliances and renovation, plus allowances for energy-efficient appliances. Glasses and dentures would also be paid for when health insurance does not cover them. The limit for what counts as reasonable housing costs would be adjusted. Job centers, district offices and the migration office would get service desks and staffed digital service points. The program adds an independent ombudsman's office at the job center, regular satisfaction surveys, more independent advice services and publicly funded jobs with social insurance.

The Left wants to introduce a Hamburg Pass and a KiJu-Karte (children and youth card). They would give benefit recipients and all children and young people free access to transit, culture, education, sports and leisure offerings.

The Left wants a Hamburg Pass and a card for children and teens. Many things would then be free. Examples are buses and trains, pools and museums. The pass is for people who get benefits.

According to the program, the youth card is meant to strengthen participation for all children and young people. It covers free use of the HVV transit network, public libraries, the Bäderland pools and one sports club. It also includes free admission to state theaters and museums. In addition, the Left calls for district-level needs planning for social infrastructure, requirements for it in new neighborhoods and sufficient funding for these services.

The Left calls for an anti-poverty strategy that involves all government departments. Every policy decision would be checked for its effect on poverty.

The Left wants a plan against poverty. All city departments would take part. The city would check every decision: Does it make people poorer? A special office would carry out the plan.

The program demands that fighting poverty be handled at the highest level of government. A dedicated staff unit would implement the strategy. An independent commission would report regularly on poverty and wealth and make policy recommendations.

The Left wants to set up city-run care centers offering affordable care for children, older people, and people needing long-term care. Care work is to be organized collectively and shared equally between genders, and the pay gap between women and men closed.

The city should build its own care centers. They look after children, old people, and people who need care. This should be good and affordable. Women should earn as much as men. The city should check this regularly.

The platform points out that women in Hamburg earn 18 percent less on average and do most of the care work. Staff at the care centers are to be paid appropriately and have fixed working hours. Citywide audits would regularly check compliance with equal pay rules. Jobs in health, social work, and childcare are to be upgraded and better paid. The platform also calls for paid parental protection leave for the second parent and support programs for women in leadership and technical jobs.

The Left wants to ease the financial burden on seniors, including a Deutschlandticket (nationwide transit pass) for 29 euros from age 65 and a local supplement to basic income support in old age. Well-equipped meeting places and neighborhood centers are to be set up in all parts of the city.

People 65 and older should get the Deutschlandticket for 29 euros. That is a transit pass for all of Germany. Older people on basic income support should get more money. Retirees should get into museums for free. Every neighborhood should have meeting places for seniors.

The local supplement to basic income support follows Munich's example, the ticket that of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. From age 60, people with low incomes would get a 250-euro city subsidy toward a laptop, tablet, or PC. Neighborhood centers on the Munich model are to offer counseling, medical care, and a place to meet, with enough staff. The project "Altern unterm Regenbogen" (Aging under the Rainbow) is to be funded permanently, as are specialist offices for older LGBTIQ* people and people with HIV. More free accessible public restrooms and more benches are also planned.