German Finance Minister defends government reforms, including sick leave changes

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has defended the federal government's reform agenda, particularly addressing the controversial plan to require employees to obtain a doctor's note for sick leave starting from the first day of illness. This new regulation, set to replace the current system where notes are only mandatory from the fourth day, has sparked criticism from doctors who fear a surge in practice visits, and from employees who feel overly controlled.

Speaking in an ARD "Summer Interview," Klingbeil sought to allay these concerns. He clarified that while a doctor's certificate will be needed from the first day, it does not necessarily mean employees must visit a doctor on that exact day. "Employees will not have to drag themselves to the doctor while sick, nor will they have to drag themselves to work while sick," he stated. Klingbeil suggested that pragmatic solutions could be found, possibly allowing for retroactive certification or enabling collective bargaining partners and companies to arrange the process according to their specific needs.

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Employees will not have to drag themselves to the doctor while sick, nor will they have to drag themselves to work while sick.

Klingbeil, who also co-chairs the Social Democratic Party (SPD), emphasized that the proposed sick note regulation is a compromise. He noted that the conservative Union parties had initially pushed for unpaid waiting days, a proposal the SPD rejected. The finance minister also touched upon the government's decision to ease restrictions on fixed-term employment contracts. He admitted that this was a difficult decision for him as a social democrat but argued that it could provide necessary flexibility for businesses during the current economic transformation phase.

Furthermore, Klingbeil defended other government initiatives concerning pension and health insurance reforms, as well as tax policies. He warned that without these reforms, the financial stability of the social security systems could be jeopardized. "We will have to demand something from the people," he stated, indicating that reforms would require adjustments from citizens.

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We will have to demand something from the people.