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Europe’s Strong Labor Laws Aren’t a Guarantee for Lower-Wage Workers Europe’s Strong Labor Laws Aren’t a Guarantee for Lower-Wage Workers
(10 days later)
FRANKFURT — As the German airline Lufthansa struggles to stay in business, it’s no surprise that its employees are suffering, too. But as is the case at other struggling companies, some workers are suffering more than others.FRANKFURT — As the German airline Lufthansa struggles to stay in business, it’s no surprise that its employees are suffering, too. But as is the case at other struggling companies, some workers are suffering more than others.
They are often the ones who earned the least to begin with.They are often the ones who earned the least to begin with.
Faced with collapsing sales, Lufthansa agreed to take full advantage of a government subsidy program that, combined with money from the company, provides furloughed workers with 90 percent of their normal net pay. The subsidy alone would have provided them 60 to 67 percent.Faced with collapsing sales, Lufthansa agreed to take full advantage of a government subsidy program that, combined with money from the company, provides furloughed workers with 90 percent of their normal net pay. The subsidy alone would have provided them 60 to 67 percent.
That was nice, except it did not apply to the crews for SunExpress, which is a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airways and offers budget flights to Mediterranean holiday spots.That was nice, except it did not apply to the crews for SunExpress, which is a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airways and offers budget flights to Mediterranean holiday spots.
SunExpress employees, who already are paid less than Lufthansa workers, will receive a lesser deal while furloughed: 75 percent of their net pay, or 82 percent for those with children.SunExpress employees, who already are paid less than Lufthansa workers, will receive a lesser deal while furloughed: 75 percent of their net pay, or 82 percent for those with children.
About 27,000 Lufthansa cabin and ground personnel are covered by the agreement. SunExpress has about 1,200 employees in Germany, giving them far less political influence.About 27,000 Lufthansa cabin and ground personnel are covered by the agreement. SunExpress has about 1,200 employees in Germany, giving them far less political influence.
Lufthansa is an example of how corporate cost-cutting in Europe is falling hardest on people at the low end of the pay scale, despite strong unions and strict labor laws.Lufthansa is an example of how corporate cost-cutting in Europe is falling hardest on people at the low end of the pay scale, despite strong unions and strict labor laws.
“The ones who were already weak, who already had worse working conditions, are now the ones that suffer,” said Mira Neumaier, head of the civil aviation team at the German service workers union known as Ver.di.“The ones who were already weak, who already had worse working conditions, are now the ones that suffer,” said Mira Neumaier, head of the civil aviation team at the German service workers union known as Ver.di.
Airlines, retailers and many other industries are in dire shape after lockdowns that brought much of the global economy to a standstill. They have to drastically cut costs. Lufthansa last week asked for government bailouts after passenger traffic dwindled to almost nothing and it lost more than a billion euros in the first quarter.Airlines, retailers and many other industries are in dire shape after lockdowns that brought much of the global economy to a standstill. They have to drastically cut costs. Lufthansa last week asked for government bailouts after passenger traffic dwindled to almost nothing and it lost more than a billion euros in the first quarter.
Lufthansa’s agreements with workers are intended “to keep as many employees on board as possible,” Jörg Waber, a Lufthansa spokesman, said in an emailed statement.Lufthansa’s agreements with workers are intended “to keep as many employees on board as possible,” Jörg Waber, a Lufthansa spokesman, said in an emailed statement.
But Ms. Neumaier said the savings to the airline from treating some employees worse than others was out of proportion to the burden on individual workers. A SunExpress flight attendant typically earns less than 2,000 euros (or $2,200) a month before taxes, according to worker representatives.But Ms. Neumaier said the savings to the airline from treating some employees worse than others was out of proportion to the burden on individual workers. A SunExpress flight attendant typically earns less than 2,000 euros (or $2,200) a month before taxes, according to worker representatives.
For some employees, she said, “it will really make a difference whether they can pay their rent or not.”For some employees, she said, “it will really make a difference whether they can pay their rent or not.”
At some companies, cost-cutting means targeting the workers who can be fired with the least fuss, or who have the least clout in the labor market.At some companies, cost-cutting means targeting the workers who can be fired with the least fuss, or who have the least clout in the labor market.
WrenKitchens, which describes itself as Britain’s largest kitchen retailer, fired hundreds of employees in March, including many trainees and recent hires, saying their performance was not up to par. Had WrenKitchens furloughed the workers instead of firing them, the British government would have covered 80 percent of their pay.WrenKitchens, which describes itself as Britain’s largest kitchen retailer, fired hundreds of employees in March, including many trainees and recent hires, saying their performance was not up to par. Had WrenKitchens furloughed the workers instead of firing them, the British government would have covered 80 percent of their pay.
“It’s a family business. They should understand that they’re putting a lot of families in difficult situations,” said Leo Ismail, 28, a trainee who lost his job. Mr. Ismail, who has a 17-month-old son, said he had enough savings to last a month.“It’s a family business. They should understand that they’re putting a lot of families in difficult situations,” said Leo Ismail, 28, a trainee who lost his job. Mr. Ismail, who has a 17-month-old son, said he had enough savings to last a month.
Unite, a British labor union, called WrenKitchens’ behavior “appalling.”Unite, a British labor union, called WrenKitchens’ behavior “appalling.”
“That this happened when the government has guaranteed the wages of furloughed workers makes Wren’s behavior particularly cruel,” Mike Wilkinson, a union official, said in a statement.“That this happened when the government has guaranteed the wages of furloughed workers makes Wren’s behavior particularly cruel,” Mike Wilkinson, a union official, said in a statement.
WrenKitchens did not respond to requests for comment.WrenKitchens did not respond to requests for comment.
There are increasing reports that some employers are abusing subsidized furlough programs, pocketing the government money while continuing to pressure employees to work.There are increasing reports that some employers are abusing subsidized furlough programs, pocketing the government money while continuing to pressure employees to work.
In France, over 900,000 firms have put eight million employees on “partial unemployment,” a government program like the ones in Germany and Britain designed to make sure people have incomes while their companies are shuttered.In France, over 900,000 firms have put eight million employees on “partial unemployment,” a government program like the ones in Germany and Britain designed to make sure people have incomes while their companies are shuttered.
The French government reimburses employers about 84 percent of their workers’ net salaries on the condition that the employees don’t telecommute or perform other work full time. Many employers cover a portion of the remaining lost wages.The French government reimburses employers about 84 percent of their workers’ net salaries on the condition that the employees don’t telecommute or perform other work full time. Many employers cover a portion of the remaining lost wages.
But some French employees say they are being required to report to work even though their employer is collecting the subsidy.But some French employees say they are being required to report to work even though their employer is collecting the subsidy.
“We have cases where salespeople, gardeners and retail employees are being told to work” when their company has enrolled in the subsidy program, said Elie Lambert, the national secretary of the National Solidarity Union, a trade union representing workers in all sectors of the economy.“We have cases where salespeople, gardeners and retail employees are being told to work” when their company has enrolled in the subsidy program, said Elie Lambert, the national secretary of the National Solidarity Union, a trade union representing workers in all sectors of the economy.
“Or they’re told, ‘If you don’t want the company to die, you’ll work anyway,’” said Ms. Lambert, whose group has collected hundreds of complaints on a nationwide hotline in recent weeks.“Or they’re told, ‘If you don’t want the company to die, you’ll work anyway,’” said Ms. Lambert, whose group has collected hundreds of complaints on a nationwide hotline in recent weeks.
The reports have grown so numerous that the French Labor Ministry has threatened steep fines and jail time for employers fraudulently abusing the system.The reports have grown so numerous that the French Labor Ministry has threatened steep fines and jail time for employers fraudulently abusing the system.
Updated July 7, 2020
The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
Freelancers and temp workers are particularly vulnerable when companies go looking for places to save.Freelancers and temp workers are particularly vulnerable when companies go looking for places to save.
IBM’s Dutch unit told freelancers and contractors that they would have to accept a 25 percent cut in their compensation or be fired, RTL Z, a Dutch business channel, reported. IBM said in a statement that, in the interests of employing as many people as possible, “we are taking various actions involving some of our contractor work force.”IBM’s Dutch unit told freelancers and contractors that they would have to accept a 25 percent cut in their compensation or be fired, RTL Z, a Dutch business channel, reported. IBM said in a statement that, in the interests of employing as many people as possible, “we are taking various actions involving some of our contractor work force.”
In Germany, supermarkets have hired temporary security guards to limit the number of shoppers who are inside at any given time, in line with lockdown requirements. The Ver.di union has complained that these workers are being underpaid in violation of wage agreements.In Germany, supermarkets have hired temporary security guards to limit the number of shoppers who are inside at any given time, in line with lockdown requirements. The Ver.di union has complained that these workers are being underpaid in violation of wage agreements.
An association that represents security firms has told its members that the supermarket guards are entitled only to the German minimum wage of €9.35 an hour, rather than the wage negotiated with unions, according to Ver.di.An association that represents security firms has told its members that the supermarket guards are entitled only to the German minimum wage of €9.35 an hour, rather than the wage negotiated with unions, according to Ver.di.
The union wage is not that much higher, ranging from €10.60 an hour in some eastern German states to €11 in parts of western Germany.The union wage is not that much higher, ranging from €10.60 an hour in some eastern German states to €11 in parts of western Germany.
Security firms argue that people controlling traffic at supermarkets are more akin to ushers at a sports event than security guards, and therefore not entitled to as much pay. Silke Zöller, a spokeswoman for the industry association that supplies and pays security guards, said the minimum wage would apply only to a narrow subset of workers not covered by wage agreements.Security firms argue that people controlling traffic at supermarkets are more akin to ushers at a sports event than security guards, and therefore not entitled to as much pay. Silke Zöller, a spokeswoman for the industry association that supplies and pays security guards, said the minimum wage would apply only to a narrow subset of workers not covered by wage agreements.
Some of these inequalities will disappear when lockdowns ease, as is already happening in Germany and other places. But some of the damage is permanent.Some of these inequalities will disappear when lockdowns ease, as is already happening in Germany and other places. But some of the damage is permanent.
Lufthansa initially agreed to pay 1,100 furloughed employees of Germanwings, another budget subsidiary, 90 percent of their pay — the same amount as workers at the parent company. But then Lufthansa decided to fold the unit, which had long had financial trouble. That means the employees are no longer eligible for the pay they would have received on furlough and must apply for unemployment benefits, which are usually lower.Lufthansa initially agreed to pay 1,100 furloughed employees of Germanwings, another budget subsidiary, 90 percent of their pay — the same amount as workers at the parent company. But then Lufthansa decided to fold the unit, which had long had financial trouble. That means the employees are no longer eligible for the pay they would have received on furlough and must apply for unemployment benefits, which are usually lower.
Lufthansa said it hoped to find jobs for Germanwings employees elsewhere in the company.Lufthansa said it hoped to find jobs for Germanwings employees elsewhere in the company.
At the same time, Lufthansa has also asked for government aid, warning that its existence is at stake and hinting that it may not be able to pay any furloughed employees more than they get from the government. Worker representatives said they planned to push political leaders to make any support conditional on better treatment of employees of the airline’s subsidiaries.At the same time, Lufthansa has also asked for government aid, warning that its existence is at stake and hinting that it may not be able to pay any furloughed employees more than they get from the government. Worker representatives said they planned to push political leaders to make any support conditional on better treatment of employees of the airline’s subsidiaries.
“On the one side they ask for help for the state, and on the other side they refuse to top up salaries,” said Daniel Flohr, a Lufthansa flight attendant who is chairman of the Independent Organization of Flight Attendants, known in German as U.F.O. “That’s unacceptable.”“On the one side they ask for help for the state, and on the other side they refuse to top up salaries,” said Daniel Flohr, a Lufthansa flight attendant who is chairman of the Independent Organization of Flight Attendants, known in German as U.F.O. “That’s unacceptable.”
Jack Ewing reported from Frankfurt, and Geneva Abdul from London. Liz Alderman and Eva Mbengue contributed reporting from Paris.Jack Ewing reported from Frankfurt, and Geneva Abdul from London. Liz Alderman and Eva Mbengue contributed reporting from Paris.