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In the heart of Europe, Germany is grappling with a contentious issue: the proposed reform of its Working Hours Act. The reform, aimed at adapting to modern, digital-age work patterns, has sparked a heated debate between employers, government officials, and trade unions.

At the centre of this debate is the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), which argues that removing the traditional eight-hour workday disregards workers’ realities and may lead to more unpaid overtime. The DGB's Chairwoman, Yasmin Fahimi, asserts that abolishing the regular eight-hour day would not reflect the reality of employees, many of whom already perform overtime hours, some of which are unpaid.

Employers, on the other hand, are pushing for more flexibility. Rainer Dulger, President of the employers' association, believes that a weekly maximum working time is more suitable for the age of digitalization than the strict daily maximum working time. He has called for a swift reform of the Working Hours Act.

The proposed reform would move from a daily maximum working time framework to a more flexible weekly limit, a change that employers' associations support. However, trade unions, including the Industrial Union of Mining, Chemistry, and Energy (IG BCE), are vehemently opposed. The Trade Union Chief, Michael Vassiliadis, has rejected the reform outright, threatening possible legal action if it goes ahead.

The coalition agreement between Union and SPD states that they wish to create the possibility of a weekly maximum working time, in line with the European Working Time Directive. However, Vassiliadis has pointed out that changing the Working Hours Act would have no effect where collective agreements apply, thousands of which already allow for flexible working hours.

The debate intensified recently after Economy Minister Katharina Reiche publicly called for longer working hours to address demographic changes and economic competitiveness, sparking criticism from unions and worker representatives. Labor leaders and union officials maintain that many employees already work long hours and that reforms should focus on better funding of social systems rather than extending working hours or retirement ages.

As of early August 2025, the reform process is ongoing and contentious. Employers and government officials advocate for more flexible and extended working hours to tackle demographic and economic pressures, while trade unions strongly oppose changes that might increase unpaid overtime or degrade workers’ protections and conditions. The final status remains unresolved amid this polarized discourse.

It is important to note that other employment reforms, such as adjustments to social security and parental leave, are progressing but are separate from the core working hours debate. The consequences for employees without collective agreement protection would be dramatic if the Working Hours Act were to be changed, according to Vassiliadis, who has stated that he plans to bring the question of working hours flexibilization before German and European courts if necessary.

In conclusion, the proposed Working Hours Act reform in Germany is a complex issue that raises concerns for both employers and workers. As the debate continues, it is crucial to ensure that any changes made to the Act protect the rights and well-being of Germany's workforce.

The ongoing debate over Germany's Working Hours Act reform centers not only on politics and policy-and-legislation but also on general news, as it involves various interests, such as employers, government officials, and trade unions, each advocating for their respective views on work flexibility and worker protections.
The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) urgently calls for attention to the potential impact of the proposed Working Hours Act reform on energy sector workers, arguing that any changes to the Act should consider the realities of employees who already perform overtime hours, some of which are unpaid, and prevent further degradation of workers' conditions.