Firefighter age limit rise met with continued resistance by Ver.di NRW
The North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament is currently debating an amendment proposal regarding the age limit for firefighting service personnel. The proposal, submitted by the parliamentary groups of CDU and Greens last Wednesday, aims to raise the age limit from the current 60 years to 61 years. However, the trade union ver.di NRW has voiced strong opposition to this increase.
Andrea Becker, head of the professional sector at ver.di NRW, has expressed her view that the proposed increase in the age limit does not adequately address the health and staffing concerns of firefighters. In an expert hearing, ver.di presented health data showing that illness rates and sick leave increase significantly after the age of 55.
Becker explained that raising the age limit would not result in firefighters being available longer, but instead exacerbate staffing issues. She emphasized that the unique demands of the firefighting profession require a 60-year age limit to be maintained. According to Becker, positions would not become available for re-appointment if the age limit is raised.
Becker also pointed out that the fire does not burn slower, and the ladder will not be shorter at the end of one’s career. She argued that the long-term, strenuous duties and resulting health restrictions of professional firefighters have not been adequately considered by the parliamentary groups.
Ver.di argues that the health burden on firefighters is not adequately addressed by the proposed increase in the age limit. Hundreds of firefighters have participated in actions by trade unions in front of the state parliament, voicing their concerns about the proposed amendment.
The initial draft by the Ministry of the Interior proposed a differentiated increase in the age limit to 61 or 62 years depending on the career group. However, the proposed amendment will allow all firefighting service personnel in North Rhine-Westphalia to work until the age of 61 after a transitional period.
The path pursued by the state government is counterproductive, as it exacerbates the shortage of skilled workers. Becker argues that the government should focus on attracting and retaining more firefighters, rather than extending the careers of existing personnel.
Andrea Becker currently exercises her function as head of the professional sector at ver.di NRW, the trade union in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The debate on the proposed amendment is ongoing, and the final decision is yet to be made.
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