
The Federal Minister of Economics advocates higher work productivity and more flexible protection against dismissal.
At the mechanical engineering summit in Berlin, Federal Minister of Economics Katherina Reiche is calling for changes to labor law, longer working hours and a relaxation of protection against dismissal for more competitiveness.
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Flexibility in the labor market is controversial in the coalition. In July, the leaders agreed to relax restrictions for high earners.
Berlin. Federal Minister of Economics Katherina Reiche is campaigning for changes to labor law.
The CDU politician said at the mechanical engineering summit in Berlin that Germany can only be competitive if labor productivity is increased. It's not just about a longer working life, but also about "working a little more and a little longer every day."
Reiche continued: “We have to talk about the issue of protection against dismissal.” She doesn’t forget the fears of employees. But at the moment a “very strong, rigid, immobile protection against dismissal” is hindering real changes.
"If the economic situation is such that you have to separate, then it is a hard decision for the employees and also for the boss. But it first creates the basis for a company to continue and then grow again later." Rigid protection against dismissal also prevents “new things” from entering companies.
Flexibility in the labor market is controversial in the black-red coalition. At the beginning of July, the coalition leaders agreed to relax protection against dismissal for high earners as part of a growth package.
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