The head of the RWI Leibniz Institute in Essen, Christoph Schmidt, calls for a fundamental reform of the mini‑job system.
Schmidt told the “Rheinische Post” (Monday edition) that mini‑jobs are “problematic from an economic‑policy standpoint, because their tax‑ and fee‑exempt status creates perverse incentives”. He argues that they especially disadvantage dual‑earners and encourage side jobs rather than additional regular work hours. “The state should not privilege particular employment models” he said. “A more consistent approach would either abolish mini‑jobs entirely or restrict them to students, pupils and retirees”.

At the upcoming federal party conference, the CDU’s employee wing wants mini‑jobs to be converted into regular employment.