Saxony Continues to Foot the Bill for the Day of Penance and Prayer—Criticism

In light of the regulations regarding the Day of Penance and Prayer in Saxony, the German Trade Union Federation (DGB) has once again called for fairness in long-term care insurance contributions this year. “For 31 years, workers in Saxony have been paying extra for this holiday because they have to contribute half a percent more to long-term care insurance than workers in other federal states. This must finally come to an end,” said DGB Chairwoman Daniela Kolbe.

DGB Calls on Saxony’s Government to Take Action

Kolbe referred to the coalition agreement between the CDU and SPD in Saxony and called on the coalition to finally take action and advocate in the Bundesrat for equal financing of long-term care insurance by employers and employees, without losing the public holiday. “I expect the Saxon coalition to finally implement the coalition agreement. Either through a Bundesrat initiative or as part of the changes to federal legislation in the course of the long-term care reform.”

Kolbe: “This isn’t about peanuts”

“It’s clear that something finally has to happen now. Workers in Saxony expect relief and greater fairness. This isn’t about peanuts either, but about several hundred euros a year that workers in Saxony pay more than workers in other federal states,” Kolbe argued. Full-time employees with an average gross annual income of 53,584 euros in Saxony would have to pay 268 euros less per year than they do now if long-term care insurance were financed uniformly.

According to Kolbe, there is no reason to abolish the public holiday. “Other federal states have introduced additional holidays without making employees foot the bill. Asking employees to foot the bill for maintaining or introducing a public holiday is therefore unique to Saxony, and this special arrangement must be abolished.”

The Day of Repentance and Prayer is a public holiday observed by the Protestant Church, which always takes place on the first Wednesday after Remembrance Day. This year, it falls on November 18. According to the Protestant Church, church services on this day focus on reflection, a critical assessment of one’s life, and reorientation. 

Saxony Chose a Different Path for the Day of Repentance and Prayer

Nationwide, the Day of Repentance and Prayer was abolished as a legal holiday in 1995 to enable the financing of long-term care insurance. Only Saxony resisted. In Saxony, however, the contribution rate (1.0 percent) was not split equally between employers and employees; instead, it was initially passed on entirely to employees. Employers were completely exempt. It was only when contribution rates were raised that employers were also required to contribute to the financing of long-term care insurance, albeit at a lower rate.