SPD blasts Merz over claim Germans take too many sick days

Chancellor Friedrich Merz's assertion that Germans take too much time off due to illness is "wrong" and disregards the struggles people face in their daily lives, according to his coalition partner.

"Friedrich Merz is wrong," Matthias Miersch, parliamentary leader of the Social Democrats (SPD) told news outlet t-online in an interview published on Friday.

Merz questioned last week why the average worker in Germany takes "almost three weeks" off work due to illness or injury each year.

Highlighting the average of 14.5 sick days taken by employees in 2024, the chancellor asked: "Is that really right? Is that really necessary?"

Miersch, whose party tends to set a stronger focus on workers' rights than Merz's conservatives, challenged the chancellor's stance, arguing that Germans work too much overtime while also taking care of their families, looking after relatives and doing volunteer work.

He said he personally knew many people working two jobs to be able to make ends meet.

Miersch said lower and middle-income households need to be better supported in particular. Many parents would like to work more but struggle to find or afford child care, he said.