The working day could last over 8 hours! - The German government is drafting the bill. Unions are worried
The reform of Germany's working hours law is causing strong reactions, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government plans to relax the current eight-hour workday rule and aims to present the relevant bill in June.
The proposal has been met with harsh criticism. The 8-hour working day was introduced in Germany in 1918 and is provided for by the Working Hours Act (ArbZG), according to which "the daily working time of employees may not exceed eight hours". Exceptions allow up to 10 hours per day, with a maximum weekly limit of 48 hours.
The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) stresses that the 8-hour working day protects workers from burnout and fatigue, warning that abolishing it would leave them exposed to pressure from management. The Confederation also expresses serious concerns about the government's plans. "From an occupational health perspective, the current law protects employees. Excessive hours and lack of stability lead to illnesses that burden the economy and the health system. Weakening the law would be counterproductive and to the detriment of employees," the Confederation stresses.
The DGB and the Verdi union warn that the reform could allow working days of up to 13 hours. Calculations show that a six-day working week could theoretically reach 73.5 hours. However, the European Working Time Directive sets an average weekly limit of 48 hours. This means that even if someone works 12 hours a day, the remaining days must be significantly shorter.
Studies have shown that increasing working hours carries significant risks. After twelve hours of work, the risk of accidents - both at work and on the way home - doubles.
At the same time, overwork is associated with fatigue, sleep disorders, cardiovascular and mental illnesses. According to studies, such phenomena burden the health system and employers, as mental illnesses are often associated with long-term absences. Official data for 2023 show that the average duration of sick leave is 33 days.
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