What might be a support model for self-employed women that would provide fair and minimally bureaucratic relief from income losses due to pregnancy and maternity, whilst ensuring the continued operation of their businesses? Dr Vinzenz Peters and Christine Schmelting (West German Crafts Council) gave an answer to this question at the end of September during the webinar "Maternity Protection and Entrepreneurship’ as part of the online event series ‘Master … and now?" organised by the West German Chamber of Crafts.
The model consists on three components: the basic maternity allowance, which is intended to provide cover for all self-employed women and is to be paid as a one-off, unbureaucratic lump sum at the start of maternity leave. The second component serves to top up the basic maternity allowance to 100 per cent of the previous net income. Under the third component, expectant mothers who are self-employed can apply for proportionate financial support to hire a self-organised replacement or to cover ongoing fixed business costs. The support model is currently being discussed in politics under the name "FAIRsorgt".
