(de-news.net) – The discourse surrounding the proposed, politically defined increase of the minimum wage to 15 euros per hour, as suggested by the SPD, has elicited significant criticism from employer associations. The President of the Central Association of German Crafts, Jörg Dittrich, expressed disapproval, emphasizing…

(de-news.net) – The Minimum Wage Commission has emphasized its independence following a debate between the CDU/CSU and the SPD over a higher minimum wage. As Christiane Schönefeld, chair of the commission, explained, its members are not subject to any instructions in the course of their…

(de-news.net) – Restrictions on inland navigation along the Rhine have been imposed due to declining water levels, which are attributed to persistent drought conditions. According to the Waterways and Shipping Authority, larger vessels can now only traverse the waterway near Cologne with half their usual…

(de-news.net) – The Deputy Chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Jens Spahn (CDU), has expressed disagreement with the assertion in the coalition agreement of the black-red government, that suggested a minimum wage of 15 euros as early as 2026. He remarked that it was unlikely…

(de-news.net) – The CDU/CSU and SPD have reached a coalition agreement, presented by their leaders in Berlin. CDU leader Freidrich Merz emphasized the establishment of trust between the parties, expressing confidence in their ability to govern effectively. The coalition plans to adopt a new migration…

(de-news.net) – The negotiations in the public sector collective bargaining have resulted in an agreement, as announced by representatives of employers and trade unions. The outcome largely follows the recommendations of mediators from late March: salaries will immediately increase by 3%, with a minimum raise…

(de-news.net) – The transport ministers of the German länder are advocating for the federal government to reduce the cost of obtaining a driver’s license, particularly by reforming the overly complex theoretical training. At the Transport Ministers’ Conference in Nuremberg, it was emphasized that the theoretical…

(de-news.net) – More than 65 business associations have called on the party leadership of CDU, CSU, and SPD to revise the economic policy agreements reached in the coalition talks and to provide significant relief to companies. In a letter, the associations warn of Germany’s further…

(de-news.net) – A consensus proposal has been reached during the arbitration process concerning the collective bargaining round for over 2.6 million public sector employees in Germany. The arbitration commission, chaired by Robert Koch (CDU) and Henning Lühr (SPD), reached a majority agreement despite challenging initial…

(de-news.net) – A group of experts and employer associations has issued a reform proposal for resolving collective labor disputes. Hagen Lesch, of the Institute of the German Economy, stated that ongoing debates about strengthening the ultima ratio principle through statutory arbitration mechanisms had been the…

(de-news.net) – Alexander von Preen, President of the German Retail Association (HDE), has advocated for increased flexibility in Sunday opening regulations. He emphasized that municipalities and retailers should independently decide which Sundays to open, underscoring the need for legal clarity. Von Preen criticized the mandatory…

(de-news.net) – The Federal Association of German Industry (BDI) underscores significant cost-saving opportunities arising from Germany’s transition to sustainable energy systems. A comprehensive analysis commissioned by the BDI and conducted by the consulting firm Boston Consulting Group projects that an optimized implementation of the energy…