Söder vows to protect German 'minijobs' amid reform debate

Markus Söder, the leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU) and Minister-President of Bavaria, has firmly stated that "minijobs" will remain a part of Germany's employment landscape. In a debate surrounding pension and social reforms, Söder emphasized the importance of these part-time positions.

"One can discuss how people with minijobs can be better protected against poverty in old age," Söder told the "Augsburger Allgemeine." "But an abolition would be wrong and would severely damage important sectors such as gastronomy, retail, or agriculture." He highlighted that the major pension reforms needed are elsewhere, specifically mentioning the end of the "pension with 63" policy and the introduction of capital-funded retirement provisions.

“

The minijobs remain.

Söder's stance comes as a broad coalition of business associations has urgently warned the government against effectively abolishing or significantly increasing the cost of minijobs. In a letter to the Labor Minister and Health Minister, industry groups including the German Retail Association and the German Hotel and Restaurant Association called for the preservation of minijobs in their current form. The government commission's proposal to include minijobs in the pension insurance system and eliminate their special tax and social security status, with exceptions only for students, has faced significant political skepticism.

“

One can discuss how people with minijobs can be better protected against poverty in old age. But an abolition would be wrong and would severely damage important sectors such as gastronomy, retail, or agriculture.