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.
• Germany is planning to tighten its sick leave rules as part of a wide-ranging economic reform package unveiled by Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition government.