|
Politics
|
The Controversy Over Sick Leave in Germany
2025-01-09 23:55:09
Politics
Health

The Controversy Over Sick Leave in Germany

Image used under license from Shutterstock.com

The discussion surrounding sick leave in Germany is intensifying, particularly the proposal to reintroduce a waiting day before wage continuation. CDU Vice Laumann firmly opposes this notion, emphasizing the longstanding practice of immediate wage support from the first day of illness.

This perspective is echoed by labor unions, including IG Metall, which argue that eliminating this provision fosters a culture of mistrust. Labor Minister Heil and Health Minister Lauterbach also reject the proposal, highlighting the potential negative impact on low-income workers.

The debate is fueled by rising absenteeism, attributed to long-term illnesses and the implementation of electronic sick notes. Critics suggest that a focus on prevention is essential to address health issues effectively.

Meanwhile, the left-wing party advocates for increased holidays for workers, drawing inspiration from policies in other European countries. As various stakeholders weigh in, the conversation continues to reveal deep divisions regarding employee rights and health care in Germany.

Related news on that topic:

Debate on Sick Pay and Unpaid Sick Days in Germany

A heated debate has emerged in Germany regarding the reduction of sick pay and the introduction of unpaid sick days. Economist Bernd Raffelhüschen advocates for reducing sick pay to the level of unemployment benefits to manage rising healthcare costs. He warns that increasing social expenditure could threaten the welfare state. In contrast, Labor Minister Hubertus Heil and Health Minister Karl Lauterbach oppose the idea of unpaid sick days, arguing it would disproportionately affect low-income workers. They emphasize that the higher rate of sick leave in Germany results from long-term illnesses rather than malingering. Lauterbach and Heil stress that current measures allow employers to verify sick leave legitimacy. Allianz CEO Oliver Bäte's proposal to eliminate paid sick leave for the first day faced criticism, with opponents citing potential hardships for vulnerable employees. While some politicians support re-evaluating sick pay policies, others, like CDU Vice Laumann, dismiss unpaid sick days due to negative past experiences. The discussion also touches on broader social welfare reforms, with parties suggesting changes to increase workers' net income. However, the proposal to cut sick pay remains contentious, reflecting deep divides over Germany's social safety nets.

Debate Over Holiday Observance Sparks Controversy in Berlin

The proposal to abolish certain holidays, like International Women's Day, to boost economic productivity has ignited fierce backlash in Berlin. SPD senators, including Labor Senator Kiziltepe and Economy Senator Giffey, criticized this idea, arguing it undermines women's rights and represents backward thinking. Meanwhile, the Linke party suggests compensating holidays that fall on weekends by observing them on the following Monday, a practice seen in countries like Spain, Belgium, and the UK. This contrasts with business groups in Berlin-Brandenburg, who propose shifting holidays to weekends to preserve workdays. They argue this could benefit the regional economy by 230 million euros per additional workday. The debate highlights a tension between economic interests and the preservation of workers’ rights, with the International Women’s Day at the center of this ongoing discussion. As the conversation continues, the implications for Berlin's labor landscape and holiday traditions remain uncertain.

The press radar on this topic:

zeit
9. Januar 2025 um 05:48

Sick Leave: CDU Vice Laumann Rejects Waiting Days

Politics
CDU Vice Laumann, the Health Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, rejects waiting days, as the IG Metall trade union had already abolished them through collective bargaining; in Germany, wage continuation has been in effect from the first day of illness for decades, unlike in some other countries; Allianz CEO Bäte recommended abolition, Labor Minister Heil rejected this and warned against disadvantaging low-income earners; some Union politicians had expressed openness to the idea.
sueddeutsche
9. Januar 2025 um 13:22

Sick Days: Even the CDU Isn't Too Keen

Politics
Economy
Forgo pay on the first day of illness? Trade unions and SPD politicians are protesting. But even those who usually demand cutbacks are hesitant. The proposal has already hurt the Union in an election campaign.
Frankfurter Rundschau
9. Januar 2025 um 15:06

After Karenztag Debate: The Left Demands More Public Holidays for Employees - UK as a Model

Politics
Economy
The Left is demanding more public holidays for employees based on the British model, as companies want to place public holidays on Sundays. Federal Labor Minister Heil rejects the Karenztag, as it would affect people in the low-wage sector and women.
mdr
9. Januar 2025 um 14:51

Working despite illness: Lauterbach against waiving sick leave

Politics
Health Minister Lauterbach rejects waiving sick leave, as this would endanger employees. Skipping work is not the main reason for the high sickness rate; instead, there is a need for prevention laws like the Healthy Heart Act, which, however, was not realized.
CW

Account

Waiting list for the personalized area


Welcome!

InfoBud.news

infobud.news is an AI-driven news aggregator that simplifies global news, offering customizable feeds in all languages for tailored insights into tech, finance, politics, and more. It provides precise, relevant news updates, overcoming conventional search tool limitations. Due to the diversity of news sources, it provides precise and relevant news updates, focusing entirely on the facts without influencing opinion. Read moreExpand

Spotlighting today's most mentioned stocks in the media. Uncover the stories making waves in the stock market:

A closer look at the individuals who are leading today's news narratives. Find out what makes them the center of attention.

Exploring the five locations receiving the most media attention in the last 24 hours. Discover what puts these places in the global spotlight

Your World, Tailored News: Navigate The News Jungle With AI-Powered Precision!

News

All News
Politics
Technology
Economy
Business
Climate

About

About Us
Team + Mission

Legal

Cookie Settings
Disclaimer
Legal Notice
Data Privacy

Contact

Contact