Freie Wähler on work and social affairs

The Free Voters want to tackle the shortage of skilled workers with more hands-on career experience in schools, stronger dual vocational training and an immigration law for qualified workers. The Meisterpflicht (master craftsman requirement) would be extended to more trades, and master training would be free.

Bavaria needs more skilled workers. The Free Voters want more internships in schools. Well-trained people from abroad should be able to come more easily. More trades should require a master craftsman title. Training to become a master should be free.

Internships would be mandatory in all types of secondary schools, and dual vocational training is to stay attractive. Immigrants are to be brought into work faster and in a more targeted way. More women are to be in paid work, helped by a better balance of family and career. The master craftsman requirement would be kept and reintroduced in more trades, such as cosmetics. The Meisterbonus (a state bonus for new masters) would stay, and master training and further training in Bavaria would be free. The party regards master craftsman and master's degrees as equal in value.

The Free Voters want to reform Bürgergeld (citizen's income) and impose sanctions when recipients refuse to cooperate. Low wages would carry lower taxes and social contributions so that work pays more than Bürgergeld.

The Free Voters want to change Bürgergeld, a basic welfare payment. People who refuse to cooperate should get less money. People with low wages should pay lower contributions. That way work should pay more than welfare.

The platform calls for sanctions again when recipients refuse to cooperate and for a wider gap between wages and Bürgergeld. It also demands equal pay for equal work, including between women and men and between temporary and permanent staff. State contracts would go only to companies that pay collectively agreed wages. Internships are to be paid fairly and part-time vocational training expanded. The party wants to review EU rules on the posting of foreign workers.