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Read aloud:
July 2026
"Modern maternity protection for the self-employed belongs in the law." NRW Economics Minister Mona Neubaur presents a model with a flat-rate wage replacement benefit during the maternity protection period.
Those who are employed have statutory maternity protection. Those who are self-employed do not. As a result, approximately 27.000 self-employed women in Germany face financial hardship each year when they become pregnant. There is a great need for action. Many pregnant self-employed women They work until shortly before and immediately afterwards because they have no insurance and the costs continue.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, a feasibility study presented with practical solutions. It was presented on July 6th at the North Rhine-Westphalia state representation in Berlin. NRW Minister of Economic Affairs Mona Neubaur to hand over.
➡️The core of the measure is a one-time, lump-sum wage replacement payment of €5.000 for self-employed individuals during their maternity leave. This one-off payment is intended to cover ongoing expenses and lost earnings.
The name of the initiative: "FAIRsorgt - NRW Initiative for Fair Maternity Protection"The study was conducted by North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of Economic Affairs promoted and by West German Chamber of Crafts (WHKT) in cooperation with the Institute for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (IfM) Bonn carried out.
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Minister of Economic Affairs Mona Neubaur says: "Pregnancy should not be an occupational hazard – period. Self-employed mothers keep businesses running every day, secure jobs, and bear responsibility. And then they get pregnant and fall through the cracks. That's not fair, and above all, it's economic nonsense."
Neubaur emphasized that the Ministry of Economic Affairs would launch further initiatives on this topic in the near future. At the presentation of the study, the Deputy Minister-President called on the federal government to deliver results now. The coalition agreement of the CDU/CSU-SPD federal government stipulates a Maternity protection for self-employed people Nothing has happened yet. North Rhine-Westphalia is not waiting, but is taking action now, according to Neubaur.
Module 1: Basic maternity allowance; a lump sum of 5.000 euros as a one-off payment to cover ongoing costs and loss of earnings.
Module 2: Income-based top-up to 100 percent of the previous net income to fully safeguard the previous income (optional upon presentation of appropriate evidence).
Module 3: Financial support for hiring replacement workers as a form of company protection. Maternity compensation can be financed through a levy on all self-employed individuals, through the federal budget using tax revenue, or a combination of both.
Estimated cost for personal insurance (modules 1 and 2): 135 to 190 million euros (per year, with a benefit of between 5.000 and 7.000 euros per woman in total, based on approximately 27.000 self-employed women who become pregnant each year.)
Estimated cost for additional operational support (module 3): Up to 135 million euros (per year, meaning an additional 5.000 euros per woman.)
Master carpenter Johanna Röh on extra 3 One of the first to draw attention to the problem is Master carpenter Johanna RöhShe launched a successful petition in 2022 and founded the association. "Maternity protection for all!" founded. The association receives backing from, among others, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and trade organizations at the state and federal levels. In Satire magazine extra 3 by Christian Ehring The topic was also addressed on July 2, 2026. Link to the media library.
"With the WHKT model, we are presenting a concrete and practical proposal for how maternity protection for self-employed women can be structured in the future. Now it is up to politicians to further develop the legal framework so that self-employment and family life become more compatible."
"Our study clearly shows that there is a great need for action. Many self-employed female craftspeople who are (expectant) mothers have to weigh their health against the existence of their business. The WHKT model offers a solution that takes both perspectives into account."
"The model presented today is based on surveys and analyses conducted by our institute. We have succeeded in developing a practical proposal for the legal anchoring of maternity protection for the self-employed, which covers the diverse needs of the self-employed. The model thus provides a good basis for future legislation in this area."
"This is an important step – because this model presents a concrete proposal for how maternity protection for the self-employed can be legally implemented. We would particularly like to emphasize the blanket basic protection: it also reaches female founders and self-employed individuals with still low incomes, who are currently particularly poorly protected. After all, anyone starting or building a business should not be plunged into an existential crisis by a pregnancy."
Source: Ministry of Economic Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia; Maternity protection for all!
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