German row over plan for workers to need sick note on first day of illness

"The number of sick days in Germany is too high."

— Friedrich Merz , Politician

"We now need to put sensible arrangements in place for what has been proposed in the coalition committee."

— Lars Klingbeil , Politician

"That wasn't my proposal."

— Bärbel Bas , Politician

"We have one of the highest numbers of sick days – around 18 per year per employee."

— Jens Spahn , Politician