COVID-19 and Labour Law: Germany

Abstract

The corona pandemic raises a vast range of legal issues. From the labour and social law perspective, some of them are of downright existential importance for the employees and enterprises affected. Various legislative support measures have been adopted through the "social protection packages I & II". Especially the provisions on short-time work, which were immediately adjusted to the current crisis, attempt to address the financial risks for enterprises and employees. Support is also given to particularly strongly affected professions such as the (solo)self-employed persons. Moreover, virtual works council meetings and "online-courts" are enabled by several legislative actions. As slaughterhouses have emerged as coronavirus hotspots, the Government currently envisages a sector-specific ban on subcontracts to combat the misdevelopments in the meat industry.