Which law Merz would strike - Germany’s Chancellor Merz pushes to scrap the Working Time Act by 2026
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has sparked debate over Germany’s Working Time Act. In January 2026, he stated that if given the chance, he would abolish the law entirely. His comments come as the CDU-SPD coalition considers a new weekly working time limit in their agreement.
The proposed change would allow businesses to opt for a maximum weekly hour cap instead of daily restrictions. But unions and the Labor Ministry remain cautious about the shift.
The Working Time Act currently sets strict rules on daily hours and mandatory breaks to protect workers’ health. The Labor Ministry argues that these limits strike a balance between employee welfare and business needs.
At a recent event, Merz questioned whether legislation was necessary at all. He suggested that workplace agreements and collective bargaining could handle working hours without government rules. He also noted that many businesses in attendance admitted they did not fully comply with the existing law.
The coalition’s new proposal would introduce flexibility by letting companies choose a weekly cap rather than daily limits. However, trade unions have expressed doubts about whether this would weaken worker protections. The CDU and SPD have yet to finalise the details in their coalition agreement.
Merz, who remains chancellor with no announced successor, has long been critical of the Working Time Act. His latest remarks reinforce his view that businesses should have more control over scheduling.
The debate over working hours continues as the coalition weighs changes to the law. If adopted, the weekly limit would mark a shift from daily restrictions, potentially giving employers more freedom. The outcome will depend on negotiations between the government, unions, and business groups.
