Strong shoulders for the weak to lean on
⿿The challenges of our society can only be overcome if strong shoulders bear the tasks of weaker members of society, asserts the head of the district authority, Heinz Eininger. In the second of the talks at the Workshop on the Neckar in Wendlingen for people with disabilities, established by the Samaritans, Eininger held a talk before numerous guests from the world of economics, politics and various foundations about how the social market economy can continue to succeed.
At the Workshop on the Neckar, seven care workers look after 90 people suffering mental illness or another form of disability. They accompany them through their everyday working life, at the centre or in monitored residential groups. Not many of them would stand much of a chance in the ⿿normal⿿ job market. And so it is all the more remarkable that since the Workshop⿿s foundation eight years ago, 14 of its residents have been able to be integrated in normal service or production-based jobs.
One of these jobs came into being at IST METZ. The globally active manufacturer of UV systems demonstrates that social aspects and the economy can go well together. ⿿We motivate our workforce to invest in time for people, says Dirk Jägers, Managing Director of IST Metz. Because of this attitude, and the wishes of the late company boss Jung, the IST METZ FOUNDATION was born under the auspices of Zeit für Menschen (Time for People), an initiative of the Samaritans. The company sends its trainees to do a placement at the Workshop, puts on computer courses for Workshop employees and organises trips ⿿ in brief: it cares.
⿿This is what we need to do if we want to evolve from a state of handouts to a true, progressive welfare state, says Eininger. Initiatives like those set up by the Samaritans are an example to us all. To prevent the social market economy from reaching the end of its shelf life, the state and society as a whole must take care of five areas of work. Eininger explained the concept of equal access to the labour market, presented the ideal picture of integration, emphasised the importance of education, spoke of demographic change and underlined the importance of civic commitment.
He also explained that the social market economy can succeed in spite of these problem areas, but only if everyone takes on responsibility for him or herself first of all, then for those weaker than themselves, and finally, understands that it is necessary to work together for the common good. The state cannot bear the responsibility alone, but can make the necessary provisions to ensure that individuals developing their own initiatives are nurtured and encouraged. ⿿In future, the state will limit itself to its core areas of expertise, and it will be the turn of the people to make a difference.
During a brief discussion, participants added to Eininger⿿s ideas with practical experiences of their own. ⿿I appeal to you to take a look round the Workshop. You will be amazed at everything that can be produced here, claimed Christian Kächele, member of the board of the Samaritans. Dirk Jägers told of his experiences abroad, and asked why the search for happiness and contentment is different in countries outside Germany. Hilde Cost, IHK Esslingen, proudly explained that this year, a young woman among the trainees, who understands only sign language, is to receive an award. ⿿Many people cannot imagine employees of the Workshop being able to manage the balancing act between work as therapy and the deadline pressure of the free economy, says Dieter Schenk, Managing Director at Zinco. But the employees of the Workshop on the Neckar are now working for a total of 30 companies near and far - and always to the employers⿿ complete satisfaction.
