Around 21,000 signatures have been received halfway through the referendum on five days of educational leave per year in Saxony. This means that a good half of the required number has been collected. "The early bloomers herald the arrival of spring. We are calling for the next campaign period at the beginning of March. Around Women's Day, we want to focus on women and their achievements," explained Daniela Kolbe, Deputy Chairwoman of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), in Dresden on Friday. While men were increasingly attending "advanced training courses" and working on their careers, women were taking part in "adaptation training courses" more frequently overall. "But the need for further training is much more comprehensive. This is another reason why there needs to be a right to paid time off for further education in Saxony."
The petition for the introduction of five days of educational leave is being supported by an alliance formed by the DGB Saxony, which includes more than 60 organizations. The campaign began in late summer 2023. If 40,000 signatures are collected, the motion can be submitted to the President of the State Parliament, where it will be checked for admissibility. It then goes to parliament for discussion and a decision. If the MPs reject the bill, the petitioners can launch a referendum. This requires at least 450,000 signatures within six months. If successful, a referendum will be held.
