Weekly happenings in the German Bundestag
In the realm of policy changes, Germany is set to witness a series of significant developments in the coming months. Here's a roundup of some of the key announcements:
Housing Allowance Increase
The housing allowance is set for a substantial boost in 2023, with an average increase of around 190 euros per month. This rise will see the allowance rise from an average of around 180 euros per month to around 370 euros per month, providing much-needed relief to many households.
Second Heating Cost Subsidy
In response to the anticipated additional heating costs in 2022, a second heating cost subsidy will be paid out. This subsidy is intended to benefit approximately 660,000 households receiving housing benefit.
Employee Protections in Cross-Border Transformations
Germany is working on legislation to better protect employees in cross-border transformations. The proposed draft bill emphasizes early and comprehensive information about transformation plans and court review of potential misuse. The standard framework includes information and consultation rights for employees, protections against adverse employment effects, and transitional arrangements.
Antibiotic Use Reduction in Animal Husbandry
The federal government is introducing a draft bill to improve recording and reduce the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry. The bill aims to expand the national antibiotic minimization concept, requiring animal keepers to report data on the number of animals and the use of antibiotics to the relevant authorities every six months.
Citizen's Income and Basic Security Reform
As of 1 January 2023, the new Citizen's Income will replace the current basic security (Hartz IV). The goal of the citizen's income is to bring people into long-term employment through comprehensive support, with a monthly further education allowance of 150 euros provided for this purpose.
Energy Tax Relief for Energy-Intensive Businesses
The federal government is introducing a draft bill to provide tax relief to energy-intensive businesses (EIBs) and help them cope with high energy prices. This tax relief allows EIBs to receive up to 90% of the energy or electricity tax on heating fuels and electricity for all energy and electricity consumption in a year.
Child Daycare Quality Act
The Child Daycare Quality Act provides four billion euros over two years for more staff, language education, and strengthening daycare in private homes. Existing parental fee reductions will continue to be funded, with targeted relief for low-income families in municipalities that still charge daycare fees.
Schengen Information System (SIS) Draft Bill
The third generation Schengen Information System (SIS) draft bill aims to create the legal prerequisites for the launch of the SIS, which is the common European database for persons and objects.
EU Proof of Origin Registers for Energy Carriers
The EU is deciding to establish proof of origin registers for gaseous energy carriers such as gas and hydrogen, as well as for heat and cold.
Economic Stabilization Fund (WSF) Expansion
The federal government's draft bill proposes the reactivation and realignment of the Economic Stabilization Fund (WSF) to expand its purpose to include preventing severe economic damage caused by the crisis on the energy markets. A credit authorization of 200 billion euros in 2022 is to be created for this purpose.
One-Time Payment for Federal Retirees and Pensioners
A one-time payment of 300 euros is planned for federal retirees and pensioners in the third relief package.
Upper Limit for Mid-Level Jobs
The upper limit for so-called mid-level jobs will be raised from 1,600 to 2,000 euros in the draft bill, benefiting low-income earners.
Planning Security Act (PlanSiG) Extension
The Planning Security Act (PlanSiG) has been extended until 31 December 2023 to continue to be prepared for the uncertainties of the pandemic.
Antibiotic Minimization Concept Expansion
The federal government is introducing a draft bill to amend the Animal Medicines Act to improve recording and reduce the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry.
Citizen's Income Impact on Standard Rate and Inflation Adjustment
The introduction of the Citizen's Income will increase the standard rate by approximately 50 euros and adjust it more quickly to inflation.
Note: The exact implementation timeline for the EU Cross-Border Transformation Directive (CBTD) in Germany is yet to be determined, with similar EU directives having transposition deadlines around mid-to-late 2027 with application after. For more details on the CBTD itself or broader EU employment protections during corporate transformations, these tend to mandate employee information, consultations, and protections to minimize negative impacts during such restructurings, consistent with longstanding EU norms incorporated into German labor law.
Policy-and-legislation: In the realm of policy changes, Germany is working on legislation to better protect employees in cross-border transformations, aiming to provide early and comprehensive information about transformation plans and court review of potential misuse.
Politics and general-news: The federal government is also introducing a draft bill to improve recording and reduce the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry, with the goal of expanding the national antibiotic minimization concept and requiring animal keepers to report data every six months.
