The hotel and catering association Dehoga warns that the reform proposals put forward by Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) threaten jobs. Jana Schimke, the organization’s CEO, is demanding relief regarding wage costs.
She criticized the idea that employers would have to pay a higher contribution to health insurance, along with an additional contribution, for staff working as minijobbers. Schimke told Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland that if the nursing contribution rate is also introduced, the social security burden for health and care minijobs would rise sharply, escalating from 13 to an anticipated 21 percent. She warned that this would negatively impact the employment capacity of the hospitality sector.
In addition to these specifics, Schimke insisted on reductions in bureaucracy, taxes, and levies. “Bold reforms are necessary,” stated the Dehoga chief. She emphasized that political bodies must prioritize moving forward together and expressed concern over the current state of social partnership. Schimke also noted with worry that interactions with unions are becoming increasingly challenging.
Regarding concerns that the new working time laws could lead to unwanted 13-hour shifts, she dismissed these fears as unfounded. “Any employer who does not treat their employees fairly can be replaced tomorrow,” she stated.
