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Securing Labour and Skilled Professionals in Challenging Times

The shortage of skilled professionals remains challenging. But how can countermeasures be taken? The DIHK advocates structural reforms in a position paper adopted in June 2024 to bring more people into employment – for example, through longer working hours for part-time workers or reforms to citizens' allowance.

The shortage of labour and skilled professionals is one of the greatest challenges for Germany's business community. This directly impacts companies, but also jeopardises the achievement of important objectives if the personnel required for digitalisation or the shift towards climate neutrality is missing.

In its position paper "Securing Labour and Skilled Professionals in Challenging Times – Improving Labour Market Conditions", DIHK proposes suggestions regarding labour market, working hours, compatibility, the employment of older people, and securing skilled professionals among the self-employed.

Wide Range of Measures

For instance, it is imperative to eliminate disincentives that hinder the expansion of working hours, while simultaneously extending incentives for employment. DIHK calls for better integration of social systems, stricter application of sanctions in cases of repeated refusal of reasonable work, or reducing bureaucracy in professional development. Reducing bureaucracy is also essential, for example, concerning working hours or childcare. DIHK emphasises the need for nationwide expansion of childcare; it is also important to strengthen the care infrastructure and encourage diverse working environments. The reduction of early retirement incentives is also on the list of suggestions, alongside clearer legal frameworks for solo self-employed, pragmatic design of pension security, or simple contribution models for business founders.

Overview of Topics

Labour Market and Employment Incentives

Extend working hours for part-time employment
Citizen's Money – strengthening pathways into employment
Employment promotion – integration into work must be the goal; facilitate SME access, especially for vocational training

Creating flexible working hours and reliable framework conditions; reducing bureaucracy