The economic arm of the CDU plans to eliminate the legal right to part‑time work. At the party’s federal convention in late February, a motion titled “No Legal Right to Lifestyle Part‑Time” is set to be put to a vote, reports the “Stern”.
The Mittelstands‑ und Wirtschaftsunion (MIT) is demanding that the right to part‑time employment be limited to situations of special necessity. Such circumstances could include raising children, caring for relatives, or pursuing further education.
MIT chair Gitta Connemann told the “Stern” that people who are able to work more should do so. She argued that additional social benefits are meant for true exceptional cases, not for everyday use. “Part‑time work is essential for families, for care, for health” she said. “But there is also a serious shortage of skilled labour. We must clearly distinguish between voluntary part‑time for personal life planning and a permanent state‑backed guarantee”.
Under current German law, any employee is entitled to request a part‑time arrangement as long as the employment contract has lasted more than six months and the employer has at least 15 staff members. If no explicit business reasons oppose the request, the employer must agree. The motion states that the solidarity community should not fund the work‑life balance of those who choose to work fewer hours.
Critics point out that people who voluntarily reduce their working hours pay less into the social security system but still receive the full benefits. Andreas Gassen, chairman of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, recently voiced such concerns.
