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

• The changes also mean workers will not be able to obtain the note by phone, scrapping a measure brought in due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
• "The number of sick days in Germany is too high," said Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
• A row has broken out in Germany after the coalition government announced changes to sick-leave rules, requiring Germans to provide a doctor's note to their employers on the first day of their illness.