The popular motion for educational leave in Saxony is on the home straight. It aims to guarantee that employees receive five days of paid leave per year for further education. Around 55,000 signatures for the petition have been confirmed and are to be handed over to the President of the Saxon State Parliament, Matthias Rößler, on August 21, according to the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB).
"This is a great success. The call for statutory educational leave in Saxony is being heard really loudly ahead of the state elections. 55,000 citizens are bringing a law to the Saxon state parliament by way of direct democracy and expect all democratic forces in the state parliament to take their concerns seriously," explained DGB Vice President Daniela Kolbe, representative for the referendum.
An alliance of trade unions, political parties and church, independent and social organizations had been collecting signatures for the referendum "5 days of educational leave for Saxony" since September. As more than 40,000 were collected, it can now be checked for admissibility. If the MPs reject the bill, the petitioners can launch a referendum. This requires at least 450,000 signatures within six months. If successful, a referendum will be held.
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