Episode Details

Germany’s government is poised to scrap the beloved but controversial minijob system — part-time gigs capped at 603 euros a month that let workers dodge taxes and social insurance. Designed in the 1960s and overhauled in 2003, these jobs have long been a lifeline for students and women seeking flexible, low-stakes work. The new plan would force minijobbers into full social security contributions, aiming to bolster pensions, fight old-age poverty, and tackle gender gaps — though critics warn it could hurt take-home pay and push students like Anahita Abdollahi, who uses her library job to practice German and gain experience, into tougher choices. Labor unions back the reform, seeing it as a way to break people out of dead-end gigs, while economists worry the cost outweighs the benefit. A potential loophole? Exempting students — similar to how school kids are treated — could preserve access to this entry-level gateway for future generations. Expect heated debate later this year.

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