workers will have the right to work for a temporary period of part-time and then go back into full-time. The German Bundestag adopted the law on the introduction of a so-called Bridge part-time. The SPD was thus a concern that you argue for years.

“It is above all a success for thousands of people, as we have made sure that the work suits the life,” said Minister of labour, Hubertus Heil (SPD). It is the first law, the he has brought before the Bundestag. The regulation applies to the 1. January 2019 agreed part-time.

The social Democrats wanted to adopt the Bridge part-time already in the last legislature, were slowed down by the Union, but for a long time. The project was included in the recent coalition agreement. It’s supposed to help especially mothers.

“We need to end the part-time trap for many women,” said the Deputy SPD group Chairman Katja Mast. Of the almost nine million employees subject to social insurance contributions part-time jobs, almost 80 percent are female. The consequence of poverty in old age is often. Because part-time pension claims. (Read more about it here.)

especially mothers are affected. More than two-thirds of employed women with children under the age of 18 years, according to the Federal statistical office, a part-time job, but only six percent of the fathers. Many women reduce their working hours after the birth of a child, cannot increase under existing law, but later. That should change with the law. However, there are some exceptions.

In the core of the new rules, like this:

The right on the Bridge part-time applies to companies with more than 45 workers. Employees will be entitled to get a temporary part-time phase, which can last between one and five years. For companies that have between 46 and 200 workers, there should be a special reasonability limit: Per 15 employees, you must grant only a claim to Bridge part-time. Further applications can be rejected. Applications for the Bridge part-time can only make workers, which are longer than six months in the company. Specific reasons for the reduction, such as the care of relatives or education of children, do not need to specify. The employer wants a part-time employees refuse the increase in the working hours, he must demonstrate that there is no appropriate vacancy. Urgent operational reasons or the interests of other part-time employees may be opposed to a return to full-time.

critics complain that the law is for the Bridge part-time, was mitigated over the course of the negotiations too much. Trade unions and social associations fear that due to the limitations only a part of the women concerned will the case by the new law from the “part-time” to come out. For millions of workers, the regulation does not apply.

Of the approximately 37 million workers in Germany work just under 15 million in firms with up to 45 Employees. For you the claim to Bridge part-time does not apply. 22 million people are employed in companies with over 45 employees, including nearly ten million in companies with between 46 and 200 employees. You can also make all of the return, claim on a full-time claims, because the law provides this only for a 15 Deal.

employers ‘ fear of bureaucracy

criticism of the law also comes on the part of the employer, albeit for other reasons. “The Bridge part-time is another piece of the Puzzle for more bureaucracy in our country and considerable organisational brings the bottom line is that more of a burden for companies in Germany,” said the Confederation of German employers ‘ associations.

Above all, the metal employers reject the Bridge part-time strictly. “The law will help anyone, but again the economy,” said Rainer dulger pointed out, the President of the employers Association of total metal, the editorial network in Germany. “Only an improved childcare allows mothers to return to full-time.” The law will make it difficult for companies human resources planning.

fok/dpa/AFP