Business associations throw cold water on Brandenburg's proposal for Women's Day as a public holiday
Business leaders in Brandenburg have expressed their disapproval towards the state SPD's request to turn March 8, Women's Day, into a public holiday. Following a majority vote in favor of the motion at the Jusos conference this past weekend, the brands are voicing their concerns about the potential financial strain and reduced productivity that could ensue.
Alexander Schirp, Managing Director of the Federation of Berlin-Brandenburg Business Associations (UVB), has spoken out against the proposal, asserting that it would set Brandenburg back by approximately 107 million euros. In light of the tough economic climate, Schirp emphasizes the importance of every working day for companies to stay afloat.
Germany already boasts the lowest annual working hours among industrialized nations, and Schirp warns of the potential consequences of undermining Brandenburg's competitive edge through such a move. The call to preserve working hours is a recurring theme in the ongoing discussion about public holidays, as reducing them is seen as which could risk putting a strain on the economy.
The opposition to this motion was evident last year, when the left-wing faction in the Potsdam state parliament unsuccessfully proposed the same development. Both the SPD and the CDU-Green coalition parties were against the initiation at the time. Following the latest action by the Brandenburg SPD, discussion is now underway within the state parliament to examine the possibility of implementing an additional public holiday.
Women's Day is already a recognized holiday in Berlin since 2019, and as of this year, it's been included in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's calendar as well.
Despite the promotion of the motion by Jusos in the Brandenburg SPD conference, some businesses, like the Federation of Berlin-Brandenburg Business Associations, are firm in their opposition to the idea of making Women's Day a public holiday due to the anticipated financial losses and strain on businesses during an inauspicious economic period. This opposition to public holidays has been a common theme, with past efforts in Potsdam's left-wing parliamentary group having fallen short, as well as opposition from the SPD and other governing parties.
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Additional context:
The debate surrounding new public holidays in Germany typically focuses on economic implications and the potential impact on businesses. Among the discussed concerns are increased expenses for employers, financial strain, and the need to maintain a reasonable balance between work and personal life without overburdening the economy.
Similar attempts to introduce new holidays have been contested in several German states, where balancing various interests and preserving economic stability represent recurring themes in discussions. However, delving deeper into the specific reasons behind the rejection of Women's Day as a public holiday in Brandenburg or other German states would require consulting local government reports, economic studies, or political discussions unique to those locations.
