The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) has criticized several industries for their mini-job strategy and at the same time called for more jobs subject to social security contributions. “We urgently need more regular employment subject to social security contributions instead of precarious mini-jobs,” said DGB board member Anja Piel of the German Press Agency.
With a view to certain sectors that are currently complaining about major personnel concerns, she said: “Employing people in mini-jobs and complaining about a shortage of skilled workers simply does not go together.” It is no wonder that after the experience of the pandemic, employees prefer to work in sectors where they are offered more security and reliability.
Piel criticizes raising the income limit for mini-jobs
Piel also criticized the traffic light coalition for raising the income limit for mini jobs. In October last year, this rose from 450 euros to 520 euros. For many millions of employees, this means that they are not protected by statutory social security. Especially for women, the mini-job is often the sure ticket to poverty in old age, she explained.
According to the Federal Employment Agency, almost 4.3 million people were working in mini-jobs at the end of 2022. About 60 percent of them were women. The 25 to 55 year olds accounted for the largest share with about one third. The industry with the most mini-jobbers was therefore retail, with around 800,000 employees. This was followed by the hospitality industry (520,000).
According to the Federal Employment Agency, mini-jobs – also known as 520-euro jobs – are minor jobs with a maximum monthly wage of 520 euros or a maximum workload of 70 days per calendar year. Due to the lack of contributions to social security, mini-jobs do not provide social security.
