Parliamentary State Secretary Anette Kramme welcomed a delegation of representatives of the Partito Democratico (PD) from Italy’s Senate and Chamber of Deputies to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs on 4 July 2022. The discussion focused on issues regarding labour market and social policy, in particular policies for social security and continuing education and training.
The two sides held an in-depth exchange of views on the labour-market consequences of demographic change, the shortage of skilled labour and digital and green transformation. Italy’s parliamentarians were particularly interested in how basic income support for jobseekers is organised in Germany and the reforms planned with the introduction of the so-called Bürgergeld, a minimum income benefit. Topics of discussion also included measures in the field of continuing education and training, such as the planned introduction of Bildungs(teil)zeit, a (part-time) educational leave scheme, based on the Austrian model or Qualifizierungsgeld, an allowance to acquire qualifications, which are among the Federal Government's main labour market policy projects for the 20th legislative period.
Germany and Italy are facing similar challenges in terms of demographic trends. It is therefore of great importance that we maintain a dialogue with each other and share our experiences,
said Parliamentary State Secretary Anette Kramme.
Both sides emphasised the importance of the tradition of close cooperation between Germany and Italy, which is to be bolstered by Anette Kramme's return visit later in the year.