Deputy leader of the Union parliamentary group, Günter Krings, expressed confidence that the Union and the Social Democrats can reach a solution regarding working time reform, based on the coalition agreement. Speaking to the television channel “Welt,” he stated, “I don’t believe the SPD will simply ignore this coalition agreement at such a crucial juncture. I believe that agreements, once made, should be kept. This applies to the Union, and it applies to the SPD too.”
Krings pointed out that the coalition contract clearly stipulates leaning on the European protection standard, which notably safeguards the maximum working hours per week. He argued, “If other countries in Europe, with very different governments, can achieve this, then we should not be setting an even stricter standard or imposing an excessively rigid daily working time regulation.”
The deputy leader also noted that the current working time model is outdated and that many other European nations have already recognized this. “What we are proposing is also compliant with European law. It reflects the reality and practice in many other European countries. They have realized that there are now types of activities, such as digital work and working from home, where that old, very strict framework no longer fits.”
