During the ongoing dispute over the reform package, Dirk Wiese, the Parliamentary Managing Director for the SPD parliamentary group, has signaled a willingness to compromise with the Union. Speaking to the newspaper Bild, Wiese stated that he could foresee more exceptions regarding the planned abolition of mini-jobs.
Wiese acknowledged the move made by Markus Söder concerning mini-jobs, saying, “One can talk about the initiative from Markus Söder regarding mini-jobs.” He indicated that the SPD would lean toward including not only students, but also pensioners, in the list of exempted groups, in addition to school students. This comes after Bavarian Minister-President Söder (CSU) had previously criticized the planned abolition of mini-jobs, insisting that they must remain in place.
Wiese also emphasized that the SPD insists on implementing hardship provisions and longer transition periods regarding the planned abolition of the “pension at 63” (Rente mit 63). He believes that at least a clear and distinct hardship rule is necessary, citing employees in the metal and steel industry as an example.
However, Mathias Middelberg, the deputy chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, rejected the SPD’s demands. Middelberg told Bild that anyone wishing to continue receiving the pension at 63 must explain how they intend to finance it. He warned that higher pension contributions would increase labor costs, which in turn would lead to more job losses in Germany.
