The Left Party in the Saxon State Parliament is mobilizing against the federal government’s plans regarding sick leave. The coalition committee of the CDU, CSU, and SPD at the federal level had decided to abolish sick leave certificates issued over the phone. In addition, it will become mandatory to submit a certificate of incapacity for work on the very first day of illness. In a motion to the state parliament, the Left Party faction is now calling on the Saxon government not to approve these plans at the federal level.
“Anyone who feels sick will soon have to make a doctor’s appointment and endure what can sometimes be a long trip to the doctor’s office instead of resting. This can worsen illnesses or delay recovery,” explained parliamentary group leader Susanne Schaper, a nurse by profession. This is especially true in cases of fever, migraines, or gastrointestinal infections. She accused the federal government of placing millions of workers under general suspicion.