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Germany to Replace Eight-Hour Workday with 48-Hour Weekly Cap

Berlin’s cabinet backed the reform as a way to increase scheduling flexibility to counter sluggish productivity.

Arbeiter an einer Baustelle
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Overview

  • The coalition’s draft bill would replace the daily eight-hour maximum with a 48-hour weekly limit, allowing regular ten-hour workdays.
  • Chancellor Friedrich Merz says the change is needed to boost efficiency and address Germany’s low productivity and looming labor shortages.
  • The German Trade Union Confederation and IG Metall warn the reform could increase mental health issues, sick leave and strain on the health system.
  • Research from BAuA and the Hugo Sinzheimer Institut shows extended workdays raise risks of coronary disease, psychological disorders and double accident rates after 12 hours.
  • Recent polls show public opinion divided over the proposal as debate intensifies on balancing flexibility with worker protections.