Union Leader Opposes Work Hours Reform in Germany

The ongoing debate surrounding the reform of Germany's working hours law has gained significant attention, particularly from labor unions. Michael Vassiliadis, the leader of the Industrial Union for Mining, Chemistry, and Energy (IG BCE), has expressed strong opposition to proposed changes, asserting that the traditional eight-hour workday must remain intact.

Vassiliadis has indicated that the union is prepared to take legal action if necessary, stating that they would challenge the potential changes in both German and European courts. He emphasized that current flexibility in the industrial sector has already reached its limits and highlighted concerns about the potential impact on workers who are not covered by collective agreements.

According to Vassiliadis, any modification to the working hours law could exacerbate divisions among the workforce, particularly affecting those without the protection of collective agreements. He pointed out that studies indicate an increased risk of workplace accidents after eight hours of work, which raises significant health and safety issues, especially in high-risk industries like chemical manufacturing.

The coalition agreement between the Union and the Social Democrats recognizes the evolving nature of the workplace, suggesting that both employees and businesses are seeking increased flexibility. The agreement proposes aligning with European labor directives to allow for a weekly maximum working time instead of a daily limit, aiming to improve work-life balance.

In contrast, Rainer Dulger, the president of the employers' association, has called for an expedited reform of the working hours law, arguing that a weekly limit would be more suitable for the digital age compared to the current daily restrictions.

Currently, the law stipulates a maximum daily working time of eight hours, which can be extended to ten hours under specific conditions. Following a work shift, employees are entitled to a minimum rest period of eleven hours, although this can be reduced to ten hours in certain sectors such as healthcare and transportation.

Yasmin Fahimi, chair of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), has asserted that eliminating the standard eight-hour workday would disregard the realities faced by workers, many of whom already perform significant amounts of unpaid overtime. She noted that flexible working hours are already negotiated in thousands of collective agreements.