Social security contributions have increased, which is putting a strain on businesses.

Jörg Dittrich, President of the German Skilled Crafts Association, sees the social security systems in serious trouble. "We're sitting in a ship with a leak in the hull. And if we don't seal it soon, the boat will sink completely," Dittrich told the German Press Agency. The President of the Central Association of German Skilled Crafts (ZDH) called for fundamental reforms in light of rising social security contributions. He criticized the citizen's income, which should not be an "optional benefit."

Dittrich criticized the coalition agreement for only "soft statements" regarding the urgently needed reforms to the social security systems. Regarding the failure to implement a universal electricity tax cut, he said: "After what we've experienced, I'm increasingly concerned that we'll once again talk for a long time but ultimately fail to act. But that's no longer acceptable." By establishing commissions, the federal government is clearly trying to sidestep unpopular but necessary decisions.

"We finally need a viable overall concept and an honest assessment," said the trade association president. "An ever-shrinking group of younger people cannot solely bear the responsibility for the fact that there were too few children and now there are too many retirees." Therefore, among other things, the full pension at 63 needs to be re-examined. "Too many people are taking advantage of it, and as a result, they are missing from the workforce. Instead of a rigid, blanket retirement age for everyone, more flexible solutions based on employment histories would probably be fairer." In the interests of the shrinking group of young people, society should once again discuss the retirement age, even as life expectancy increases, he said.

The trade association president also called for a reform of the citizen's income: "The citizen's income must not be an optional benefit. People who need it should receive it, but it must be clearly linked to need." This must be "clearly communicated to society."

He continued: "There are too many people who feel that they can choose and choose: go to work or receive the citizen's allowance, whichever is more beneficial." This is causing resentment among many hard-working, high-performing skilled tradespeople and undermining the principle of personal responsibility. "That's what employees are telling me now."