Die Zeit39 minutes agoPolitics2 min readGermany

SPD criticizes Federal Health Minister Linnemann's planned reduction in children's sick days

Quick Look

SPD parliamentary group spokeswoman Jasmina Hostert criticizes Federal Health Minister Carsten Linnemann's (CDU) plans to reduce children's sick days from 15 to 10 per parent per year.
She emphasizes that families need relief instead of new burdens.
The Greens and the SPD politician Manuela Schwesig also express rejection and argue that the regulation has proven itself and should not be withdrawn.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

The regulation of children's sick days was expanded to 15 days per parent per year during the corona pandemic. Before the pandemic, there was a rule of 10 days. Federal Health Minister Carsten Linnemann (CDU) argues that the special regulation from the pandemic period should be withdrawn as it was originally only intended as a temporary measure.

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The family policy spokeswoman for the SPD parliamentary group, Jasmina Hostert, has criticized Federal Health Minister Carsten Linnemann's (CDU) plans to cut so-called children's sick days. “The SPD stands for family-friendly policies that specifically support families and give them the time they need for their children,” Hostert told the Augsburger Allgemeine. The Minister of Health is pursuing exactly the opposite.

From the SPD's perspective, families need relief instead of new burdens. Anyone who has to care for sick children needs time and support, not cuts. »The debate about reporting sick from day one has already placed parents under unjustified general suspicion. The planned reduction in children's sick days now continues this false logic," said Hostert.

In the government survey last week, Linnemann spoke out against a further extension of the regulation, according to which each parent can claim 15 sick days for children per year. The number would then drop to ten. There were that many before the expansion during the corona pandemic. Politicians would do well to withdraw special Corona rules, said Linnemann.

Greens describe Linnemann's argument as cynical

The Green MP Johannes Wagner criticized Linnemann's argument. "The regulation of 15 children's sick days was deliberately continued years after the end of the corona pandemic because it has proven itself," he told the Augsburger Allgemeine. »The argument that it is just a matter of returning to the old rules is cynical. Just because something was bad before is no reason to go back there.”

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD) also criticized the possible reduction in children's sick days. “That’s not possible,” Schwesig said recently. When it came to health care reform, the SPD negotiated very clearly that children's sick days would remain: "We have to strengthen families in Germany, we have to support them."

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

The SPD will continue to speak out against the reduction in children's sick days and propose alternative family relief.
Likely · Within weeks
The Greens will continue their criticism of Linnemann's argument and support maintaining the 15 children's sick days.
Likely · Within weeks

Open Questions

When exactly should the number of children's sick days be reduced from 15 to 10 days?
Are there alternative suggestions to relieve the burden on families with sick children?
How do affected parents and employers assess the planned change?
Will the CDU/CSU parliamentary group support the Health Minister's proposal?