The CDU’s economic wing’s push to eliminate the fundamental legal entitlement to part‑time work continues to face resistance.
Pascal Meiser, a member of the Bundestag for the Left Party and the party’s spokesperson on labour policy, told the “Rheinische Post” on Monday that the proposals from the entrepreneurs’ lobby represent a direct attack on roughly 17 million part‑time workers in Germany. “It is especially aimed at the many women who daily try to juggle family and work” he said, adding that such a measure would likely violate the EU anti‑discrimination rules protecting part‑time employees.
Meiser called on the government to support people who are trapped in part‑time jobs or who want to voluntarily increase their hours but are prevented from doing so by their employers. “Ending the flawed minijob system would be a first important step” he said, “rather than penalising those who work part‑time”.
Over the weekend it was announced that the Middle‑Enterprise and Economy Union (MIT) will submit a motion titled “No legal claim to ‘lifestyle’ part‑time” for consideration at the CDU national party conference at the end of February.
