On Wednesday, the Chamber of Skilled Trades and Crafts published its assessment of the proposed state budget for 2025.
According to the Chamber, absenteeism is becoming an increasing financial burden on the healthcare system and businesses and must be curbed through legal measures. To this end, the Chamber of Skilled Trades and Crafts proposes the introduction of digitalised sick notes, and the calculation of leave days based on the number of days an employee was present at work. Alternatively, the Chamber suggests scrapping taxes on end-of-year bonuses.
In its assessment, the Chamber of Skilled Trades and Crafts further observed that one in two new job positions was created in the public sector in recent years. The Chamber warned that this risks creating an imbalance that could lead to a situation in which the profits generated by the private sector are no longer sufficient to cover state operations.
In light of this and against the backdrop of the increasing number of pension claims, the Chamber of Skilled Trades and Crafts calls for raising the legal age of retirement. The Chamber also notes “structural injustices” between pensions in the private sector and the state.
Regarding the state budget, the Chamber of Skilled Trades and Crafts suggests taking a different overall approach in the future. Instead of each ministry submitting its figures, the Chamber calls for the budget to be drafted according to “missions and targets” in a “result-oriented approach.”
The state budget is currently being discussed in the various parliamentary committees while assessments released by different institutions and organisations are being reviewed simultaneously. It is expected that MP Corinne Cahen of the Democratic Party (DP) will present her final report in a plenary session of the Chamber of Deputies in mid-December.
