Kompromiss mit Union: Bas stellt Krankschreibung ab erstem Tag infrage

Berlin - The German Federal Employment Minister, Bärbel Bas, is questioning the plans of the coalition between the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Union regarding the introduction of compulsory sick leave from the first day. "I am coalition loyal, but we should already question whether this makes sense," the SPD leader told the Funke media group.

"There should be an exception for tariff-unionized companies that have other regulations. If I introduce a mandatory requirement and then add 95 exceptions, one wonders if it is even needed at all." Bas emphasized that the mandatory sick leave from the first day is linked to a term guarantee for doctors and stroke prevention. "That is the compromise that is a package deal."

When asked about the primary care concept of the Health Minister, which is needed for the term guarantee, Bas replied that it will still take time to decide, as that is not within their jurisdiction. "We did not want sick leave days and a reduction in wage continuation. Both the Union demanded. In return, we agreed to the mandatory sick leave from the first day, even though we consider it to be wrong in content."

Bas expressed concern that people with a mild infection would go to the doctor on the first day, turning what should have been a short absence into a week-long sick leave. The leaders of the Union and SPD fraternities decided on a paper listing the joint reform projects to be fully implemented by the end of the year - including the mandatory sick leave from the first day - during a closing meeting in Münster on Friday. SPD faction leader Matthias Miersch spoke of a "firm timetable."