After its recent discussions over the CDU’s economic wing’s proposal to limit the legal right to part‑time work, the party has settled on wording for the party conference agenda that does not rely on the term “lifestyle part‑time”. “The legal entitlement to (bridge) part‑time should only apply when a special reason exists” said Steffen Bilger, parliamentary managing director of the Union’s Bundestag faction, in an interview with the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” on Wednesday. “We were able to reconcile the language and content of the part‑time amendment in the committee”.
The legal right to part‑time work, which has been statutory since 2001, is now treated only indirectly. The new wording states, “The CDU of Germany stresses the necessity of an orderly part‑time claim to enable childcare, care of relatives, and education, training and further training”. A “targeted part‑time entitlement in the presence of a specific reason” is presented as part of a balanced labour‑market policy.
The text focuses primarily on those who must supplement part‑time work with social benefits. It notes that in such cases the entitlement must be “well‑grounded”.
In addition, the proposal calls for broad incentives to extend working hours. “These include more flexible time‑models, a higher net take‑home pay through a noticeable relief of working‑income, particularly for small and middle‑income earners, and a performance‑friendly tax and fee system” it reads.
The demand of the Mittelstands‑ und Wirtschaftsunion (MIT) was sharply criticized by the SPD and the Greens. Among CDU voters in Baden‑Württemberg and Rhineland‑Palatinate, the call to restrict the legal entitlement was viewed as unhelpful. CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann and Steffen Bilger publicly opposed the initiative.
Bilger has said that reflexive agitation at each debate point, whether coming from the CDU or outside of it, does not advance Germany. “Germany needs reforms to drive more economic growth and secure jobs” he said. “At the same time, we must strengthen incentives without losing sight of social cohesion”.
