Federal civil servants in the crisis: New law causes uncertainty

The mood in the world of civil servants is tense! A draft law to salarize the federal official causes heated discussions and massive criticism. On October 2, 2024, DBB boss Ulrich Silberbach tears the mask of approval from the face of the federal government and describes the planned changes as an absolute cheek.

It is a drama that started four years ago when the Federal Constitutional Court (BVerfG) found significant words: the salary of the officials was not compliant with the Basic Law! Well, after a long wait, there is finally a bill on the table - but the result? It leaves a thread aftertaste, because only a few hectically thrown adjustments should meet the legal minimum requirements. What a weak attempt! Silberbach leaves no doubt that the dignity of professional civil servants is at risk: "The essential principles such as performance and functional principles are also disregarded!"

window for the future remains closed

The real reasons for this hasty draft are apparently fiscal nature. A missed course that pushes the appreciation of the officials into the background! "It is a shocking gap between the civil servants' face loss and the unwillingness of the federal government to introduce real improvements," said Silberbach. The civil servants' trust in their leadership is in danger, and at a moment when the federal government urgently needs the best heads to stay at the top.

Waldemar Dombrowski, the second chairman of the DBB, raises the alarm and warns: "After years of undersupply, trust in the federal government is shaken!" In addition, the long overdue proposal to reduce the additional loads due to the increased working hours in the draft law disappears. A resounding slap for everyone who longs for fairness and appreciation!

The reaction of the officials

What remains of this draft law? An almost helpless effort to meet the legislative requirements, while the actual needs of the civil servants are ignored. Instead of departure and progress, you can only feel frustration and disappointment in the air. The intended reform will hardly have an impact on the mood and work pressure of the civil servants. It is to be hoped that this failed attempt was not the last word!

Berlin, a place full of political intrigues, urgently has to rethink the future of civil servants. Otherwise there is a threat of a downward spiral of dissatisfaction, which will be difficult to slow down.