India, July 3 -- A physician practicing in Germany has warned that the country's new sick leave policy, requiring employees to produce medical certificates from day one of sickness, could have "catastrophic consequences". Amir Amini, a Resident at University Hospital Magdeburg, claimed that Germany's healthcare system is ill-equipped to handle the increase in footfall that is sure to result from the implementation of the new policy.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz outlined a package of pension, tax and labour reforms on Thursday. Among the changes, there is now a provision for how workers can avail sick leave.

In an effort to reduce days lost through sick leave, workers would not be able to call in sick by telephone but would require m...