Bärbel Bas questions mandatory sick leave medical certificates

German Federal Labor Minister Bärbel Bas has publicly questioned a recent coalition agreement regarding mandatory medical certificates for sick leave starting from the first day of illness. This development comes shortly after Chancellor Friedrich Merz and coalition ministers emphasized their reform intentions during a cabinet meeting in Neuhardenberg, followed by an agreement between the Union and SPD parliamentary groups in Münster.

Bas described the situation as a potential ‘quid pro quo,’ suggesting the SPD only agreed to the certificate requirement to prevent other measures, such as the reduction of continued wage payments or changes to waiting days. While Bas stated, ‘I am loyal to the coalition, but we should ask ourselves again whether this is sensible,’ her public distancing from the agreed-upon roadmap has caused friction with the Union.