"Tension on the Tracks" — Rise in Attacks Against Rail Workers Alarms Union, Prompts Call for Increased Police Presence
Escalating assaults on railway workers prompt call for increased police protection by EvG.
In a concerning development, the German Railway Union (EVG) is alarmed by the escalating instances of attacks on railway employees, resulting in a deteriorating sense of safety among workers. To address this escalating issue, the EVG is demanding a stronger presence of federal police in trains.
Martin Burkert, EVG's chairman, expressed his dissatisfaction, describing the rising attacks as a "regrettable statistic." Urging the federal police to prioritize securing long-distance train travel, Burkert emphasized their responsibility to ensure rail employees' safety.
Aside from advocating for more police presence, the union seeks faster prosecution of attacks, such as through specialized departments within public prosecutor's offices. They continue to push for a two-person crew in local transport, inviting financial support from federal states to make this a reality.
Recent data reveals a significant surge in offenses against German Railway workers, ranging from bodily harm and dangerous bodily harm to threats. In 2024 alone, there were 3151 incidents compared to 2799 in the previous year. Data from the first four months of 2023 shows 1244 instances of such attacks, suggesting an annual total of around 3732 instances if the trend persists.
The German Left Party, which sought this data from the Federal Ministry of the Interior, lamented the worsening situation. Dietmar Bartsch, who submitted the request, commented that the increasing number of attacks on rail workers and police officers demonstrates "a lack of restraint that is unacceptable and reflects poorly on our country."
The EVG conducted a survey on railway workers' safety perceptions in 2023, revealing that over a third of the workforce feels unsafe during work. Moreover, two-thirds of respondents noted a significant deterioration in safety perceptions over the past five years. Nearly 80% of respondents had already experienced verbal or physical attacks, with nearly two-thirds reporting such incidents within the past year.
While specific proposals by the EVG and federal police to improve safety remain unclear, measures such as enhanced surveillance, additional security personnel, regular safety training, public awareness campaigns, infrastructure improvements, interagency collaboration, and emergency response plans may be worth considering.
Source: ntv.de, toh/AFP
- EVG
- Federal Police
- German Railway
The German Railway Union (EVG) is urging for the involvement of the Federal Police to bolster safety on railways due to a rising number of attacks on workers, as demonstrated by recent data. In response, Dietmar Bartsch from the German Left Party has criticized the escalating situation as unacceptable and reflecting poorly on the country.
