German workers will now need to provide a medical certificate saying they're too unwell to work from the first day of sick leave.
Workers in Germany used to be able to take up to three sick days without seeing a doctor and could call a doctor for a one-week sick leave letter without an in-person appointment.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz said at a news conference in Berlin the number of sick days being taken by employees was "too high".
"We are creating a set of tools that will enable those involved, both employees and companies, to correct this," he said.
"We know this is a tough decision. But we can no longer afford the competitive disadvantage caused by prolonged absences from work."
The reforms — accompanied by income tax cuts worth 10 billion euros (NZ$20 billion), to be paid for by higher taxes on top earners and changes to the pension system that will eventually see the retirement age rise to 67 —were aimed at reviving the country's stagnant economy and boosting productivity.
Economists have broadly welcomed the changes to tax and superannuation, but doctors have slammed the sick leave reforms, saying it would swamp German GPs with unnecessary appointments.
"Our practices would be flooded with patients who don’t need in-person care and would be better off in bed," said the German Association of Family Physicians, which called the measure "an absolute catastrophe".
Today's stories include a miraculous rescue in Venezuela, an update on the Empire state building couple, wildfires in France and Taylor Swift's wedding. (Source: 1News)
SHARE ME