The Green Party is advocating for government-funded vouchers to subsidize household services, including cleaning, cooking, care for family members and childcare. This initiative, detailed in a position paper released by Green Party co-leader Franziska Brantner ahead of the party’s national women’s conference, aims to make these essential services more accessible and address systemic inequalities within the sector.
The proposal highlights concerns that domestic care is disproportionately provided by women, frequently those with migrant backgrounds and often under precarious working conditions. Brantner argues that recognizing the significant societal value of this labor and establishing fair working conditions are urgently needed.
The proposed voucher system draws inspiration from a model suggested by the German Confederation of Trade Unions (DGB), which, in turn, is based on a successful program implemented in Belgium. Households would receive government-subsidized vouchers redeemable at certified agencies, effectively channeling payments through regulated and accountable providers.
Proponents suggest this system would not only reduce informal, undeclared labor, leading to increased tax revenue and social security contributions, but also alleviate pressure on overwhelmed care facilities. Greater support for individuals receiving care at home could enable seniors to remain in their residences for longer periods, while also facilitating increased workforce participation among individuals currently facing significant caregiving responsibilities.
The initiative is also intended to provide crucial support for families, particularly single-parent households, by easing the burden of balancing work and daily life. For the individuals providing household services, a regulated system promises improved job security, access to training opportunities and the development of legitimate career paths with fair wages, as opposed to the precarity often associated with informal arrangements.