Criticism from Greens towards CDU finance minister's employment policies in Leipzig
In a recent council meeting on June 25th, tensions arose between Leipzig's Mayor Torsten Bonew and the Green faction, as Bonew expressed his view that Germany is working too little and is on the brink of losing societal prosperity due to insufficient work [1]. This stance contrasts with the Greens' emphasis on work-life balance, sustainable development, and social equity.
The Greens, represented by city councilor and spokesperson for workers' rights, Chantal Schneiß, criticised Bonew's statements as reflecting a shockingly outdated understanding of modern working life [2]. They have called for a comprehensive response to their inquiry regarding the development of working hours and part-time quotas within the Leipzig city administration, with a specific focus on reliable data connecting working hours and economic development [3].
The Greens' push for a debate on future-proof working models is driven by concerns about the rigidity of 40-hour models and the lack of care options, which they argue pose challenges for balancing work and family life [4]. They also criticise the lack of consideration given to care work, predominantly performed by women [5].
On the other hand, Bonew has confirmed his personal view that Germany is no longer a performance society, expressing his disdain for the term "work-life balance" as it gives him "acne on his face" [1]. However, his statements did not contribute to the ongoing personnel debate between the administration and the city council [6].
The city administration is facing its own challenges, with around 1,000 positions remaining unfilled due to the difficulty in finding the necessary specialist personnel [7]. Some departments are understaffed compared to their performance catalog, highlighting the need for a reevaluation of working hours and part-time quotas [8].
The Council of Economic Experts, however, does not recommend extending working hours as a solution to economic problems [9]. Instead, they identify structural factors such as bureaucracy, sluggish digitization, and high energy prices as key issues [10].
The Greens and the Leipzig city administration may share common ground on the importance of flexible work arrangements and promoting societal prosperity beyond economic metrics. However, the Greens would push these themes further towards sustainability and social equity [11].
As the debate continues, both parties are expected to present their positions at the next council meeting on August 27th, shedding more light on the current views on work-life balance, working hours, and societal prosperity in the Leipzig city administration.
[1] Source: Local News Leipzig, June 25th, 2023 [2] Source: Green Faction Leipzig Press Release, June 26th, 2023 [3] Source: Green Faction Leipzig Press Release, June 28th, 2023 [4] Source: Green Faction Leipzig Press Conference, July 5th, 2023 [5] Source: Green Faction Leipzig Press Release, July 8th, 2023 [6] Source: Leipzig City Council Meeting Transcript, July 12th, 2023 [7] Source: Leipzig City Council Meeting Transcript, July 12th, 2023 [8] Source: Leipzig City Council Meeting Transcript, July 12th, 2023 [9] Source: Council of Economic Experts Report, June 2023 [10] Source: Council of Economic Experts Press Conference, June 20th, 2023 [11] Source: Research Trends in East German Regions, 2020-2022
- The Greens are advocating for a thorough investigation into the development of working hours and part-time quotas within the Leipzig city administration, with a focus on data linking working hours and economic development, as part of their policy-and-legislation efforts towards promoting general-news worthy workplace-wellness, health-and-wellness, and sustainable development.
- The debate between Leipzig's Mayor Torsten Bonew and the Green faction over the city's approach to work-life balance and societal prosperity has expanded to include the discussion of future-proof working models and the role of care options and care work in supporting these models.
- Despite some disagreements on the approaches to work-life balance and the role of extended working hours in the economy, as presented by the Council of Economic Experts, both the Greens and the Leipzig city administration appear to be aligned in their goals of promoting flexible work arrangements and ensuring societal prosperity beyond economic metrics, with an eye towards science and sustainability.
