German crafts leader demands sweeping reforms to pensions and healthcare
Jörg Dittrich, president of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH), has pushed for major reforms in pensions, healthcare, and heating laws. His proposals include higher contributions from older workers, tax adjustments, and faster legislative action on subsidies.
The calls come as uncertainty grows over funding and fairness in key social policies.
Dittrich argued that older generations must play a bigger role in pension reform. He proposed extending working years and slowing pension increases to balance the system. Without these steps, he warned, younger workers would face an unfair burden.
On healthcare, he stressed that changes to the statutory health insurance (GKV) would demand sacrifices. Wealthier policyholders, he said, should cover more costs to ease pressure on lower earners. Tax relief for middle-income groups was also suggested, though he opposed hiking the top income tax rate.
Turning to energy policy, Dittrich urged lawmakers to finalise the heating law reforms quickly. He highlighted confusion over future subsidies, warning that delays would create instability for businesses and households. No official response from the federal government has yet been reported.
Search results show no concrete legislative plans or measures tied to his statements so far.
Dittrich's proposals target long-term fairness in pensions, healthcare, and energy subsidies. His emphasis on older workers' contributions and tax adjustments aims to spread costs more evenly. The next steps depend on how lawmakers address his calls for urgent reform.
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