Well.....mostly no.
However, Focus (the news magazine) brought up an interesting article today, and it bears some review. What is generally said now (by the Berlin leadership)....there is a manpower shortage existing and would effect some portions of the market chain later in the year. The shortage itself? It's mostly revolving around the planting and harvesting of agricultural goods.
The Agricultural Minister (Klockner, CDU) says that in May.....x-amount of non-Germans would be around and provide the normal 'help' to German farmers (coming out of Romania, Bulgaria, etc). They'd ride a bus over....work for a few weeks for German farmers, and set the path for a successful farming season. The cash wages would be a serious plus-up for these people. This year? It's not clear how things would work.
So there's this 11-point plan now openly discussed by the Agricultural Ministry and was published today:
1. The food industry is to be recognized as a "systemically relevant infrastructure". Quarantine 'waivers' are to be used to prevent halts.
2. A more open work-plan will exist for seasonal workers....going from the normal 70 days, to 115 days. This will allow no contributions to social pensions.
3. Temp-workers will now be possible in Germany, without state permission. How exactly this will work.....is unknown. Paperwork and 'stamps' used to be the norm for all temp-workers.
4. There aren't going to be any limits on earning 'extra additional' income.....until the end of the harvest season (end of Oct). So if you were free on a Sunday from Farm #1, and found some farmer at Farm #2 who'd like to get 12 hours of work out of you.....the normal limits would not fall into play.
5. There used to be a additional earnings limit for early retirees (in terms of the pension deal). Well, if you are a farmer, that was completely eliminated for 2020.
6. Germany has a working-hours act which tends to limit how many man-hours you can get out of people. There's going to be a waiver for this act created.
7. Farmers having trouble meeting their leased land situation will be given some type of relief for 2020.
8. The ministry has created a on-line 'help' platform called daslandhilft.de. Basically, if you are a farmer and in desperate need of temp-help.....you can list the situation (say 20-hours per week, planting of crops, etc), and regular Germans can apply for the temp-work. It's surprising how quick this was put up and is operational.
9. Banking help will be provided to ensure the liquidity of agricultural properties.
10. Small farmers (up to ten employees) can now count on aid via the Coronavirus Act.
11. All sixteen states will have the ability to rank priority and if farmers require additional food transport....the state will required to find ways to help. The term 'unhindered' goods is mentioned here.....meaning that blocking roads isn't going to be allowed.
The blunt side of this is that system operated pretty simply for decades, and never required much in terms of governmental acts. Now? To ensure the food supply.....things have to work or dire situations will develop.
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