German Industry Groups Propose Extending Working Week to 40 Hours
· Business · Financial Times, Business Standard
German industry associations are advocating for a return to a 40-hour working week to address the country's economic stagnation and labour shortages. The proposal aims to boost productivity and output by reversing the trend toward reduced working hours that has persisted for decades. Currently, many collective bargaining agreements in Germany provide for shorter weeks, often ranging between 35 and 38 hours. Industry leaders argue that increasing the total hours worked is a necessary step to maintain competitiveness in the global market. The government has not yet issued a formal response to these industry demands.
Why it matters
The shift could significantly impact German workers' collective bargaining rights and influence broader European labour standards, potentially affecting the cost structures of multinational companies operating in the region.
Read the original report — Financial Times
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.