Germany has recorded a record number of workers employed simultaneously in two or more jobs
As reported by "Russkaya Germaniya", this figure increased again last year: by 130,000 people compared to the same indicators in 2016. Currently, there are 3.26 million people in Germany who manage to hold two or even more jobs. Of these, 2.73 million have, in addition to their main job with social insurance contributions, at least one "mini-job" paying up to 450 euros.
Another 306,000 work two full-time jobs, and 275,000 people support themselves exclusively through "marginal employment," i.e., work for which social contributions are made solely by the employer.
These data were released last week by Sabine Zimmermann, a member of the Bundestag from the Left Party (Die Linke), citing the results of a corresponding parliamentary inquiry. According to the MP, the figures obtained from the Federal Government cause "serious concern." "For an increasing number of people in Germany, the earnings from one job are not sufficient for a normal life. The absolute majority of people with multiple jobs are simply forced to seek additional income due to their poor financial situation," the parliamentarian notes.
In the opinion of Ms. Zimmermann, who is her party's expert on labor and employment issues, correcting this situation is possible only through a substantial increase in the minimum wage. "It is necessary to raise this rate to 12 euros per hour. Only then will work in Germany be worthwhile," the Bundestag member emphasizes. She also recalled that just a couple of years ago, her party demanded a minimum wage of 10 euros per hour, but times have changed.
Today, additional side jobs are often associated with a reduction in working hours at the main workplace. It is no secret that it is often more profitable for a worker to work two jobs simultaneously due to high taxation. Thus, they pay less tax on their main job by reducing their working day and avoid tax deductions on income from the "mini-job."
According to Sabine Zimmermann, the result of two or more jobs held by 3.26 million German workers is also an increase in illness in the country. Thus, the number of sick days missed at work increased from 19.97 million to 30.53 million per year between 2012 and 2016. It is noted that one of the main reasons for the sharp increase in absences is "emotional and physical fatigue associated with constant overtime."