Peter Adrian, president of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), argues for eliminating the exempt co‑insurance arrangement in statutory health insurance for spouses who do not work. He warns that this practice often deters spouses from taking employment or expanding short part‑time jobs, because once they become liable for their own contributions, the benefit disappears.
Adrian also calls for the planned active‑retirement scheme to be extended to self‑employed people.
He sees improvements in child‑care provision as a crucial lever for reducing the part‑time rate. To enable parents-especially mothers-to work more, even full time, she insists that childcare must not only be expanded to meet demand, but also be flexible, reliable and available at unconventional hours.
Further, Adrian suggests that employers could be allowed to provide a tax‑ and fee‑free childcare subsidy for school‑aged children. Such a measure would particularly aid families whose children are in primary education and need after‑school care.
