The Escalating Threat to Railway Workers: EVG's Plea for Enhanced Security
Increased Assaults on Railroad Workers Prompt Call for Enhanced Law Enforcement Presence by EVG
The railway sector has been gripped by an alarming wave of violence, with employees finding themselves under constant threat. In response, the Railway and Transport Workers' Union (EVG) has called for beefing up security with more federal police presence on trains.
Amid the surge of attacks, EVG chairman Martin Burkert lambasted the situation, calling it a "shameful statistic." He emphasized the need for a stronger federal police presence to safeguard employees and uphold their dignity. Burkert also urged for stricter prosecution of perpetrators to serve as a deterrent against such heinous acts.
The data paints a dismal picture. As per the latest figures, offenses like assault, grievous bodily harm, and threats against staff have skyrocketed, with the number of recorded incidents surging from 2,799 in 2022 to 3,151 in 2024. In the first four months of 2025, 1,244 such incidents were documented. If this trend continues, experts predict a staggering 3,732 attacks by year's end.
The surge in attacks has triggered impassioned outcry from Left party MP Dietmar Bartsch, who demanded urgent measures to stem the tide of violence. He criticized the prevailing climate, where railway workers and police are increasingly viewed as punching bags for the nation, arguing that this lack of inhibition paints a poor image of our country. Bartsch called on the Federal Minister of the Interior, Alexander Dobrindt, to present a comprehensive action plan before the summer break.
In a bid to gauge the extent of the issue, the EVG conducted a safety perception survey among their employees in 2024. The results were eye-opening, with around a third of the workforce expressing feelings of insecurity on the job. Over the last five years, the general perception of safety has taken a nosedive for two-thirds of the respondents. Over 80% of employees reported experiencing verbal or physical assault, with nearly two-thirds of these incidents occurring within the past year.
As the safety concerns persist and the number of attacks continues to climb, the call for increased security measures grows louder. The necessity for action is more apparent than ever, not just to protect railway workers but also to restore public trust and ensure the dignity and safety of all those who rely on our train services.
- The escalating violence against railway workers has drawn the attention of political figures, with Left party MP Dietmar Bartsch advocating for immediate action to prevent the continued surge in attacks.
- As calls for enhanced security measures escalate, the general-news and crime-and-justice sectors are highly concerned about the safety of railway workers, urging for a comprehensive action plan from the Federal Minister of the Interior.
