The proposal by Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) to dismantle Germany’s Working Time Act has ignited a fierce political debate, drawing condemnation from opposition parties and sparking concerns over worker protections. Merz’s suggestion, framed as a move to reduce bureaucratic burdens, has been interpreted by critics as a regressive step toward a pre-industrial model of labor exploitation.
Andreas Audretsch, Deputy Parliamentary Group Chairman of the Green Party, launched a scathing critique, accusing Merz of desiring a “return to the 19th century” where workers were left vulnerable. Audretsch argued that even contemporary employers understand the value of rest and well-being in maintaining productivity, a concept seemingly absent from Merz’s perspective. He further urged the government to focus on tackling issues like rising healthcare contributions and streamlining industrial policy, rather than dismantling hard-won worker protections.
Anne Zerr, spokesperson for labor and working time policy for the Left Party, echoed these sentiments, warning that abolishing the Working Time Act would lead to a scenario of relentless work schedules, the elimination of public holidays and the erosion of mandated breaks – essentially, “work around the clock”. Zerr accused Merz of trivializing systemic breaches of labor law, endangering the dignity of workers and undermining fundamental societal achievements.
Even within the political spectrum, concerns arose. René Springer, an AfD representative on the Committee for Labour and Social Affairs, while not endorsing the complete abolition of the law, highlighted deep-seated economic issues that he believes are independent of the Working Time Act. He cautioned against a “Wild West” scenario of unchecked exploitation and overwork, shifting the blame to dependency on social welfare and advocating for stricter deportations of individuals with expulsion orders, a key promise from Merz’s campaign.
Defending Merz’s position, Marc Biadacz, labor and social policy spokesperson for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, clarified that the Chancellor’s intention was to identify outdated legislation ripe for reform, suggesting that industry-led negotiations could potentially deliver more effective solutions. Biadacz asserted that the coalition agreement necessitates a swift reform of working hours, aiming to introduce greater flexibility and reduce bureaucracy, including exploring a weekly rather than daily maximum working time – a proposal that has further fueled the controversy.
The unfolding debate underscores a broader tension within German politics: balancing economic competitiveness with safeguarding the rights and well-being of the workforce, a dynamic which now finds itself sharply contested.
