Three million unemployed – reforms cannot be postponed
Employers' President Dr Rainer Dulger comments on the labour market figures published today:
Three million unemployed – reforms cannot be postponed
Berlin, 29 August 2025: "Almost three years of recession are now having an impact on the labour market: Three million unemployed are an indictment of the refusal to reform in recent years. Germany needs a real “autumn of reforms”. The government must not duck out of the numerous commissions and continue to postpone, delay and water down the decisions that are now necessary. Many reforms cannot be postponed - such as the future viability of social insurance and the corrections to the basic social security system.
Our country needs an efficient and affordable welfare state that provides accurate and unbureaucratic support. The key questions must be: How do we get more people into work, how do we create stronger incentives for employment, what structures make this possible? For people who are able to work, the focus must be on placement in work and training. For people who refuse to accept reasonable work, it must be possible to cut benefits completely. And anyone who works and performs should also feel the benefits in their own wallet - more net income makes people want to work more. Everyone benefits from an accurate and forward-looking welfare state - employees, companies and society as a whole."
