Overview
- Labor Minister Bärbel Bas has said she will table a draft law in June to replace the daily eight‑hour limit with a weekly maximum, fulfilling a coalition pledge.
- Coalition leaders plan a social‑partners summit at the Kanzleramt on 10 June to seek agreement from employers and unions before the bill advances.
- Employer groups and pro‑business economists argue the change will raise labour volume and ease firm constraints and propose an initial rollout for low‑risk office jobs.
- Trade unions and the Left strongly oppose the plan, warning longer single workdays harm health and promising resistance that could split SPD support.
- Analysts note an EU‑aligned reading of the reform could permit much longer single shifts if required rest periods are kept, and polls show a majority of workers prefer shorter hours.