German Companies Push for a Longer Workweek

German industry is once again debating working hours. According to Tagesschau, Albert Sauter, managing director of the family-owned company Kern & Sohn, argues that Germany can no longer afford a workweek shorter than 40 hours.

His company has never adopted a 35-hour workweek, which he sees as a competitive advantage. Shorter working hours, he argues, would require more employees, additional software licenses and higher office costs. He points to India's 45-hour workweek as an example. The works council, however, says competing companies are attracting workers precisely because they offer shorter working hours.

The issue is also fueling tensions at Mercedes-Benz. Management wants to restore a 40-hour workweek without additional pay, prompting protests from employees. The IG Metall union rejects the proposal and blames management for the company's problems.

At automotive supplier Aumovio, by contrast, unions have already agreed to extend the workweek to 38 hours without additional pay in an effort to avoid layoffs.

Sauter warns that Germany's automotive industry is facing mounting pressure, citing Volkswagen as an example. In his view, returning to a 40-hour workweek is essential to companies' survival. He also argues that scrapping some public holidays would be preferable to allowing Germany's economic decline to continue.

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