German govt files law to cut jobless by 50%

The German government said it has filed a draft law in parliament that aims to cut the number of unemployed by half in the next three years, according to economy and labour minister Wolfgang Clement.

In the first of a series of major labour law reforms, today's draft legislation aims to shorten the time it takes to find a job from 33 weeks to one week and support the self-employed, said Clement in a speech in parliament.