The recent collective bargaining agreement in Germany’s public sector has resulted in a 5.8% pay increase over 27 months. This adjustment not only covers civil servants but also extends to a range of public employees including administrative staff, cleaning personnel in university hospitals, nursing staff, and educators. The increase is a response to the gradual erosion of real wages caused by inflation, which typically averages around 2% annually, ensuring that workers' purchasing power is somewhat safeguarded.

Despite criticisms and resentment sometimes directed at public servants, this pay raise is a significant improvement for millions of employees in the public sector who have faced financial strain in recent years. The commentary suggests that rather than begrudging these workers, other employees in different sectors should find ways to advocate for their own wage increases. This pay rise is not simply about rewarding civil servants but serves as a broader acknowledgment of the essential roles these workers perform in society.

Benedikt Peters, the author, argues that the public's reaction should be supportive rather than envious, emphasizing that the agreement benefits a wide array of workers whose contributions are vital to maintaining the functionality of public services. The commentary invites a rethinking of the narrative around public service employees and encourages solidarity in the quest for fair wages across all sectors.