The push by CSU leader Markus Söder for an extra hour of weekly work has drawn criticism from economists. DIW president Marcel Fratzscher told the “Rheinische Post” that the call by some politicians for higher output and longer hours from employees is a form of populism, “shifting the responsibility for the mistakes of politics and businesses onto the workers”.
While he acknowledges that more working hours would undoubtedly benefit the German economy-particularly by easing the shortage of skilled labour-Fratzscher says the debate on work time is too narrow and misdirected. It gives the impression that Germany’s economic problems could be solved simply by having workers work harder.
He argues that instead of refusing responsibility, politics should implement the reforms that are needed, and that companies must correct their own mistakes. He calls for increased investment and innovation from firms.
