CDU’s Sepp Müller, the vice chairman of the labor union’s faction, has shown openness to the idea of workers not receiving a salary on the first day of illness.
“Our social systems are being increasingly strained” Müller said to the Politico news portal. “That’s why, in my opinion, we shouldn’t shut ourselves off to new ideas and discuss them. Even if the topic of sick leave days isn’t in our election program, this could be an old, tried approach.” The background is the demand of Allianz CEO Oliver Bäte, who, in an interview with the Handelsblatt, called for the reintroduction of the sick leave day, which was abolished in the 1970s.
On the other hand, the health policy spokesperson of the CDU’s faction, Tino Sorge, criticized the proposal. “Only a very small number of people call in sick for fun” he said to Politico. “We need quick, reliable data – for example, on the reasons behind the increased sick leave and also on short sick leaves.” This should be discussed, for instance, at a sick leave summit. “All other solution proposals, such as partial sick leave, need to be put on the table here as well.