German government labour‑law reform fuels push for shorter work week

A new DGB survey of nearly 7,000 employees shows that 53 % of German workers want shorter working hours, with 63 % of fathers and 40 % of women reporting frequent exhaustion after work. The government plans to replace the daily eight‑hour limit with a weekly maximum to increase flexibility for businesses, a move championed by Labour Minister Bärbel Bas.

Trade unions and health experts warn that abandoning the eight‑hour day could harm workers’ health. The German Confederation of Trade Unions (DGB) and the NGG argue the current law protects employees from over‑work, while the employer‑linked Institute of the German Economy (IW) suggests limiting any weekly‑hour changes to office staff only. The debate centres on balancing productivity gains with workers’ wellbeing and family‑life compatibility.