Hubertus Heils

Hubertus Heil wants to Protect Workers better from Crises

Labor Minister Hubertus Heil announces a labour law reform for October: for example, the use of short-time working allowance is to be facilitated.

Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) wants to present a law by the end of October which, among other things, provides for better protection for employees in a cyclical crisis.

So short-time working should be connected as possible with further qualification, said Heil at the presentation of various reform plans in Berlin. He emphasized that the so-called work-of-tomorrow bill should, at the same time prepare the labour market for structural change through digitization and new technologies.

Among other things, Heil wants to facilitate the use of short-time work, i.e. the partial continuation of the wage for employees, which companies reduce the number of hours in times of crisis by the Federal Employment Agency. The instrument helped prevent a large increase in unemployment during the 2008 financial crisis.

At that time, companies used it for up to 1.4 million employees. In addition, among other things, higher subsidies from the Employment Agency for qualification and salary will become possible.

Heil also announced further reform steps. Thus, individuals working time accounts should be created. As a result, employees should be able to save free time in order to compensate for longer paid time-outs. He also wants to work for relief for basic subscribers and low-income parents.

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