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.