Peter Adrian, president of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), has called for the abolition of the contribution‑free coverage for non‑working spouses in Germany’s statutory health insurance. He argues that this arrangement often discourages partners from taking or extending part‑time work, because once they start earning, they are required to pay regular contributions-an additional financial burden, he said to the Handelsblatt on Tuesday. Adrian also insists that the planned Active Pension scheme should be made available to self‑employed professionals.
In addition, he sees expanding child‑care services as a key lever for reducing the prevalence of part‑time employment. To enable parents-especially mothers-to work more hours up to full time, caregivers must not only be built out to meet demand but also be flexible, reliable, and available during non‑standard working hours.
Adrian proposes that employers be allowed to provide a tax‑free childcare subsidy for school‑age children, which would particularly benefit families with elementary‑school pupils who need after‑school care.