The state wants to make it easier for families to hire domestic help in the future.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin The future traffic light government wants to relieve families with state vouchers for domestic help. “We are introducing a system of everyday helpers for families. The state gives families a subsidy in the form of vouchers so that they can afford legal help in the household, ”said Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) in charge of“ Bild am Sonntag ”.
As a first step, according to Heils plans, families with children, single parents and people who look after relatives should receive an annual bonus of a maximum of 2000 euros. “With this money they can then afford everyday helpers,” said Heil, who has a good chance of continuing to lead the labor department in a new federal government.
The traffic light coalition wants to make everyday life for families very concrete. Parents of small children or caregiving relatives in particular need support with cleaning the apartment, with childcare or care. “But normal wage earners,” says Heil, “often cannot afford to hire a regular, socially insured worker for this help. Some citizens switch to undeclared work, many try to manage their everyday life with their job and family alone. We will change that! “
According to Heil’s model, the state and family share the costs for everyday helpers: “40 percent are paid by the grant, 60 percent by the citizens themselves.” The billing is to be regulated by means of an app through which certified companies can offer their services.
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The family then books a service such as weekly cleaning of the apartment, enters the voucher code sent by the state and automatically only has to pay 60 percent. The company settles the voucher with the responsible authority.
Fight against undeclared work
With this reform, Heil also wants to fight the black market and improve working conditions for people who do household services.
The coalition agreement between the SPD, the Greens and the FDP says: “We facilitate the use of family and everyday support services through a bonus and voucher system and the possibility of accompanying tax-free employer subsidies.”
This should serve to promote employment in the household subject to social security contributions. “First of all, single parents, families with children and relatives to be cared for should benefit, and gradually all households.”
For the first year, costs of 400 million euros are expected, according to Heil. “Later – possibly already in this legislature – every household should receive such an everyday helper voucher. Then it costs around 1.6 billion euros. However, the state will also have counter-income through the social security contributions and taxes of the everyday helpers. “
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