Schlimbach demands educational time: Saxony lags behind other federal states!

Schlimbach demands educational time: Saxony lags behind other federal states!

A public hearing took place yesterday Educational period in the Saxon state parliament instead, in which DGB chairman Markus Schlimbach takes a clear position: The introduction of an educational period in Saxony is urgently necessary. Schlimbach described the hearing as exciting and was firmly in favor of the legal regulation. He criticizes employers who fear negative consequences such as closed daycare centers and collapsing companies. The DGB chairman emphasizes that no such negative effects are known in the 14 other federal states with educational exemption. This is a common argument from critics who often do not recognize the benefits of such a regulation.

“Employers should reflect on reality and recognize the positive effects of the educational period,” says Schlimbach and at the same time appeals to the CDU to remain loyal to the contract and not to gamble away the trust any further. Saxony and Bavaria are currently among the few federal states in which there is no legal entitlement to educational leave. In most other federal states, employees can take between five and ten days of educational leave, which can be used for a variety of further training measures, be it in the professional, cultural or political areas.  https://www.wochenkurier.info/dresden/artikel/claim-oder-privatsache

What is educational leave?

The idea behind educational leave is simple and ingenious. How established by law, employees can be released from work for recognized educational opportunities while continuing to pay their wages. These additional vacation days are, as the name suggests, a gift from the legislature to promote lifelong learning and personal development. Employees should have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge or learn new skills without their salary suffering.

However, this important aspect is still pending in Saxony. Various voices, such as state parliament members Elaine Jentsch and Timo Schreyer from the AFD, are currently criticizing the proposed regulations. Jentsch sees the possibility of a negative impact on working time arrangements in economically uncertain times, while Schreyer sees a legal right to further training as a private matter.

Criticism of the introduction

The points of criticism are diverse. Saxony's Economics and Labor Minister Dirk Panter is calling for the introduction of educational time as a sensible instrument, but the Saxon Chambers of Industry and Commerce are skeptical. They warn that such a regulation could drive up costs for craft entrepreneurs, especially in times when the economic situation is tense.

• Aktuellen Studien zufolge nutzen bundesweit nur 2-3% der Anspruchsberechtigten tatsächlich Bildungsurlaub.
• Der DGB hat einen Volksantrag mit dem Titel „Gemeinsam für Bildungszeit“ initiiert, der über 55.000 Unterschriften gesammelt hat, um auf die Wichtigkeit dieser Thematik aufmerksam zu machen.
• Im sächsischen Koalitionsvertrag haben CDU und SPD immerhin vereinbart, ab 1. Januar 2027, drei Tage bezahlte Freistellung für Weiterbildung einzuführen.

Despite these challenges, there could be a clear positive realignment in the coming years. A strong focus on the attractiveness of Saxon companies for skilled workers and better organization of working hours could ensure that Brandenburg, Berlin and Co. do not remain the only pioneers of educational time. The DGB sees the introduction of training time, especially in Saxony, as a progressive step that would not only strengthen employees but also companies in the long term.

This debate is about more than just education; It is also a question of the future viability of Saxony as a business location. Schlimbach and his colleagues are demanding an answer to this crucial question: How does Saxony want to make its citizens and thus its own economy fit for the challenges of the future?