The CDU’s economic wing’s proposal to curb the right to part‑time work has sparked fierce backlash.
Left party leader Ines Schwerdtner warned that the measure constitutes “the next attack on hard‑working people, especially women”. She said the “Rheinische Post” had reported that the proposal “to demean part‑time as a ‘lifestyle’ is disrespectful to millions who raise children, care for relatives or simply try to balance work and life”.
Schwerdtner added that part‑time is not a luxury choice but often the only way to stay employed. She argued that restricting the right would disproportionately push women out of the workforce, deepen income losses, and push more people into pension poverty, calling the policy “unmodern, regressive”. In addition, she demanded that the Union must provide better kindergarten facilities and reliable all‑day care to reduce involuntary part‑time work.
Earlier, it was revealed that the CDU’s labor wing intends to limit the legal entitlement to part‑time employment to exceptional circumstances only. The proposed exceptions include caring for children, caring for relatives, and pursuing further education or training while working, as outlined by the Mittelstands‑und Wirtschaftsunion (MIT).
The Social Democratic Party (SPD) also sharply criticized the CDU’s push to abolish the part‑time right. Deputy parliamentary group leader Dagmar Schmidt warned in the “Handelsblatt” that trimming hard‑earned employee rights would erode essential protections. She urged Germany to invest more heavily in education, qualification, research, and development instead, arguing that such investments would support both the economy and growth.
Schmidt described the initiative as contradictory: employees would be portrayed as ‘lazy’ and coerced into overtime, while simultaneously those who are “integrated and in training or work” would be left behind.
