The Saxon state parliament has paved the way for educational leave in the state. In future, employees will be able to take three days off per calendar year. Business associations and local authorities had campaigned against educational leave until the very end. In a roll-call vote, 65 MPs voted in favor of the motion, 50 against and three abstained.
The issue was put to the vote in the form of a popular motion
Saxony was the only federal state apart from Bavaria where the regulation did not yet apply. The bill was submitted as a popular motion, for which more than 55,000 signatures were collected. The motion was about five days of educational leave. An amendment by the CDU-SPD minority coalition reduced it to three days of paid leave. Officially, it is now called qualification time.
AfD united against, CDU and BSW vote against
60 votes were required for a majority. The state parliament has 120 members, two were missing from the vote. The SPD, Green and Left parliamentary groups voted unanimously in favor of educational leave, while the AfD voted unanimously against. The CDU parliamentary group and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance voted against or abstained several times. Non-attached MP Matthias Berger, who sits in the state parliament for the Free Voters, also voted against.
Important signal in the direction of voluntary work
Economics Minister Dirk Panter (SPD) described the law as an important signal in the direction of voluntary work and commitment. The government also hears the criticism and understands the concerns of entrepreneurs. We have not yet delivered what is needed, he said. "We have to deliver and we will." However, the economy will neither suffer nor recover from the compromise, said Panter, referring to fears of an excessive burden.
Law comes into force in 2027
The law will come into force in 2027. Companies with fewer than 20 employees will be reimbursed 115 euros per working day off. Certain forms of further training, such as for a political party, trade union or professional association, cannot be used for educational leave. The same applies to recreation, entertainment, private housekeeping, study trips or hobbies. The option cannot be used for a driver's license either.
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