A growing chorus of concern is echoing through Germany’s vital crafts sector, as the Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH) is issuing a stark warning to the federal government regarding promised deregulation. ZDH President Jörg Dittrich is intensifying pressure on policymakers, arguing that the pace of bureaucratic reduction is far too slow and hindering the ability of skilled tradespeople to contribute effectively to the national economy.
Dittrich’s comments, published in Monday’s edition of “Bild”, highlight a disconnect between government pledges and the lived reality of countless small businesses. While the abolition of the “master craftsman obligation” (Bonpflicht) is included in the government’s modernization agenda, Dittrich stressed that its practical impact will only be felt once the regulation is definitively removed. He voiced frustration with what he characterized as a multitude of “absurd” and unnecessary rules.
The ZDH president used a striking analogy to illustrate the issue; criticizing the pervasive culture of documentation, he argued that businesses are often compelled to provide written assurances that they have not committed errors – a process he likened to being forced to sign a declaration of speed limit adherence every time one exits a vehicle. This sentiment underscores concerns that regulations are creating an environment of needless complexity and compliance costs.
Critically, Dittrich pointed out that businesses are frequently required to provide written proof for information already captured digitally or through automated systems. This burden, he contends, is actively discouraging young, skilled artisans from pursuing self-employment, potentially impacting the future of the sector and exacerbating existing skills shortages.
Dittrich urgently called on the government to pursue a more ambitious and accelerated approach to the modernization agenda, demanding its consistent implementation and further development. He insisted that businesses should be freed from the “impenetrable jungle of bureaucracy” and empowered to focus on their core craft work, a critical element for Germany’s economic resilience and competitiveness. This latest push from the ZDH represents a significant challenge to the government, placing pressure on them to deliver tangible results before disillusionment within the crucial crafts sector deepens.