Union head opposes changes to work hour regulations
In the heart of Europe, Germany is grappling with a contentious issue: the proposed reform of its Working Hours Act. The debate, which has been ongoing for some time, centers around the shift from the current daily working time limits to a more flexible weekly working hours limit, better suited to the digital economy.
Employers, led by Rainer Dulger, president of the employers' association, are advocates for the reform. They argue that the existing daily limits are outdated and do not cater to the needs of modern work structures. Dulger contends that a quick reform to a weekly limit would provide more flexibility, aiding businesses in adapting to the digital age. Economy Minister Katherina Reiche has also backed this call, suggesting that longer and more working hours are necessary in response to demographic changes and increasing life expectancy, as working lives must extend to maintain social security systems.
However, trade unions and worker representatives, including Yasmin Fahimi, chair of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), are resistant to the reform. Fahimi argues that abolishing the eight-hour workday would harm workers who already put in substantial unpaid overtime. She emphasizes that flexible working hours are already negotiated through collective agreements and cautions against undermining workers' rights and protections. The DGB also opposes policies like raising the retirement age and insists that social tasks like pensions should be funded through taxes rather than pension insurance funds.
The proposed reform, if passed, would move Germany closer to the average working hours of other developed nations, such as the United States. However, trade unions fear that this change would come at the expense of worker well-being, with Michael Vassiliadis, trade union chief of the Industrial Union of Mining, Chemistry, and Energy (IG BCE), warning that the consequences would be dramatic for employees without collective agreement protection. Vassiliadis, who has threatened possible legal action, also mentions studies showing an increase in accident risk after the eighth hour of work.
As of August 2025, no final reform has passed, with strong disagreements between employers who want to expedite change and unions who resist reductions to daily limits citing worker protection. The debate reflects broader tensions on labor law modernization amidst demographic and economic pressures in Germany. The coalition agreement between Union and SPD also states a desire to create the possibility of a weekly instead of a daily maximum working time, especially for better compatibility of family and career.
Thousands of collective agreements already allow for flexible working hours, agreed upon by social partners. In industry, the possibilities for flexibilization are largely exhausted. Changing the Working Hours Act would have no effect where collective agreements apply. Despite the ongoing debate, it is clear that the world of work is changing, and both employees and companies are seeking more flexibility. However, the question remains: at what cost to worker protection and well-being?
[1] Source: https://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/arbeitszeit-reform-101/200293.html [2] Source: https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/plus146764267/Arbeitszeit-reform-Kritiker-fuerchten-einen-Siegeszug-der-Flexibilisierung.html [3] Source: https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/soziales/arbeitszeit-reform-kritik-gegen-die-flexibilisierung-a-7f2c5a5d-48c3-49d7-b69b-4731b6879f13 [4] Source: https://www.dpa-nd.de/gesellschaft/soziales/arbeitszeit-reform-debatte-um-arbeitszeiten-in-deutschland-1.5882871 [5] Source: https://www.zeit.de/digital/2021-03/arbeitszeit-reform-deutschland-digitalisierung-flexibilisierung-kritik
The proposed reform of Germany's Working Hours Act, if passed, could bring the country closer to the average working hours of other developed nations, such as the United States. However, trade unions and worker representatives fear that this change would come at the expense of worker well-being, as longer working hours could increase the risk of accidents and harm workers who already put in substantial unpaid overtime.
In industry, where thousands of collective agreements already allow for flexible working hours, changing the Working Hours Act would have no effect where such agreements apply. Despite the ongoing debate, it seems that both employees and companies are seeking more work flexibility, but the question remains: at what cost to worker protection and well-being?
