Germany’s largest union demands four-day workweek without pay cut

The leader of Germany’s largest union, IG Metall, which represents two million workers, has demanded the implementation of a four-day workweek without a pay cut. Jorg Hofmann, the president of IG Metall, said that a three-day weekend would be a good break for those who work early mornings, afternoons, and evenings, in an interview with the Sunday edition of Bild newspaper cited by EFE News Agency.

Hofmann believes that the four-day workweek should be introduced first for physically demanding jobs and shift work and then possibly for other tasks such as telework. The union plans to begin actions in November when collective bargaining for the steel industry is set to begin negotiations. If implemented, the measure, according to the union, would increase the total volume of working hours. It would also allow many women who currently work part-time jobs to take a full-time job of 32 hours a week thanks to the better work-life balance that the four-day workweek would bring.

Additionally, it would help attract highly qualified immigrants needed to cope with the shortage of labor. Employers, however, rejected Hofmann’s proposal, calling it a “pie in the sky” idea. The German Employers’ Association (BDA) expressed support for work hour flexibility but said overall reduction of working hours was not the right solution at this time.