Digital Economy Our New Industry Report: Worker Representation Is No Longer a Niche Issue in the Digital Economy

Today, the digital economy is a key driver of industrial transformation in Germany. Software development, IT services, and data-driven business models have become integral parts of industrial value chains and are essential to the competitiveness of a wide range of industries. As the sector’s importance increases, so do the challenges facing its workforce: restructuring, layoffs, and economic uncertainty are becoming more common. As a result, worker representation and collective bargaining are no longer niche issues in the digital economy. This is the central finding of IG Metall Berlin’s newly published industry report, The Digital Economy in Germany: Industry Overview, Tech Work, and Union Organizing.

The study provides the first comprehensive overview of the development of Germany’s digital economy, as well as the working and employment conditions of people in the sector. It places particular emphasis on Berlin as Germany’s leading digital economy hub and examines the prospects for union organizing in the industry.

“The notion that the digital economy exists in a world of its own — separate from industry and detached from traditional workers’ interests — is a thing of the past. Software development, IT services, and data-driven business models have long been integral to industrial value creation. At the same time, the digital economy is experiencing many of the same developments seen in other industries: restructuring, layoffs, and growing uncertainty for employees. If the digital economy’s economic importance continues to grow, then worker representation, collective bargaining, and employment security must grow alongside it. Digital transformation can only succeed if it is shaped together with the people who make it possible,” says Constantin Borchelt, First Representative of IG Metall Berlin.

Borchelt continues:

“The future competitiveness of the digital economy will not be determined by technological innovation alone. It will also depend on whether the people developing these innovations have secure jobs, fair working conditions, and a strong voice in the workplace. Good jobs and worker representation are not at odds with innovation — they are prerequisites for sustainable economic success.”

With this industry report, IG Metall Berlin provides a well-founded basis for the debate on worker representation in the digital economy. The study is intended for employees, works councils, companies, policymakers, researchers, and the broader public.

The report, The Digital Economy in Germany: Industry Overview, Tech Work, and Union Organizing, has been available for download as a PDF since June 30, 2026.