Why the CDU-SPD coalition argues over German working hours reform

Rules and calls for flexibility

At a chemical industry hub in Leuna, Saxony-Anhalt, Finnish company UPM is hiring for its new biorefinery. A chemical technician listing requires willingness to work 12-hour shifts, raising questions about Germany’s working-time rules.

The law generally caps a working day at eight hours. Work may extend to ten hours if time off later compensates for the extra hours, and employees must have at least 11 hours of rest between shifts. Some sectors, including chemical plants, already have exceptions permitting shifts of up to 12 hours.

Business groups and the CDU and CSU have long argued for more flexible rules. Employers say current limits can constrain staffing during seasonal demand, project work and workload peaks.

Coalition agreement and arguments

In their 2025 coalition agreement, the CDU/CSU and SPD committed to reforming the law. They proposed a maximum weekly working time instead of a daily cap, saying the change could support work-life balance and align with the European Working Time Directive.

BDA president Rainer Dulger said the directive permits up to 48 hours of work per week and argued Germany makes less use of that allowance than other countries. He also said modern technology and family schedules were not reflected in rules dating from an earlier era.

The SPD had preferred to keep the law unchanged, but accepted the coalition plan. It has noted that longer shifts are already allowed in exceptional circumstances, including emergency services, health care and security work.

Merz backs longer shifts

After visiting UPM’s Leuna facility in September, Chancellor Friedrich Merz told business leaders he had been surprised that the site operated continuous 12-hour shifts with works council approval. He recounted a supervisor describing the schedule as good, with three-day work weeks and more time for families.

Merz said shifts longer than eight hours need not amount to exploitation and could help businesses and employees organize work more flexibly. He called for the law to be relaxed.

Unions warn of consequences

The proposal faces opposition from parts of the SPD and trade unions. Verdi says much longer workdays could damage employees’ health and disadvantage people with family or caregiving duties. It also warns workers in some industries could face pressure to accept longer shifts.