The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) reacted with outrage to a proposal from employer association president Rainer Dulger, who called for a non‑paid “carnet” day for sick workers.
DGB board member Anja Piel told the news portal T‑Online that the suggestion stems from deep mistrust toward employees and puts everyone under general suspicion. She described it as a “silly idea” that would force ill workers to come to the office under threat of financial loss, insisting that sick employees should not be required to work.
Piel pointed out that an unpaid day normally results in a loss of about five percent of gross wages. She argued that being sick and unable to work neither belongs at the workshop nor in the office, and that reducing absenteeism requires better working conditions and health protection, not punitive measures.
