The AfD looks set to take power in a German state for the first time. In a DW exclusive, the front-runner in Saxony-Anhalt discusses plans to detain immigrants and revamp the school system, and relations with Russia.
The problem is that about 2.5 million Germans don‘t even get minimum wage. At least not in practice and unpaid overtime is the main reason for it. If they make 13 hours the new standard, 15 to 18 hours will become reality for many.
Besides, endless studies have shown no meaningful benefit to productivity if you work above 8 hours a day. Instead you have increased sick leave and long term health issues. This will make productivity worse, not better. In fact many fields could benefit from working less than 8 hours a day but that‘s not even debated in the government.
One more thing people should know about Germany is that it‘s (for better or worse) a part time economy. If you increase work hours to 12 or even more hours a day it will mean mass unemployment because why pay benefits for 3 workers when you can pay them for just 2 „harder working“ employees? And what do you do then with millions of unemployed but educated and experienced young and middle aged people? Jobs aren‘t falling from the sky, especially not with so many unemployed people that can‘t contribute to the economy anymore. People will mass migrate somewhere else, making all problems even worse.
The problem in Germany is not productivity. It‘s the opposite! There aren‘t enough contracts. Increasing regular work hours will make things so much worse. It‘s an insane thing to even consider.
That‘s not even the the tip of the iceberg but I think I‘ve said enough for one comment. I hope it can illustrate the sheer incompetence of the German government.
That’s a different problem, and I’m surprised the Germans are allowing that.
It’s also completely contrary to what I’ve seen reported by many foreigners working in Germany, where clearly the norm is to have zero overtime.
The problem is that about 2.5 million Germans don‘t even get minimum wage. At least not in practice and unpaid overtime is the main reason for it. If they make 13 hours the new standard, 15 to 18 hours will become reality for many.
Besides, endless studies have shown no meaningful benefit to productivity if you work above 8 hours a day. Instead you have increased sick leave and long term health issues. This will make productivity worse, not better. In fact many fields could benefit from working less than 8 hours a day but that‘s not even debated in the government.
One more thing people should know about Germany is that it‘s (for better or worse) a part time economy. If you increase work hours to 12 or even more hours a day it will mean mass unemployment because why pay benefits for 3 workers when you can pay them for just 2 „harder working“ employees? And what do you do then with millions of unemployed but educated and experienced young and middle aged people? Jobs aren‘t falling from the sky, especially not with so many unemployed people that can‘t contribute to the economy anymore. People will mass migrate somewhere else, making all problems even worse.
The problem in Germany is not productivity. It‘s the opposite! There aren‘t enough contracts. Increasing regular work hours will make things so much worse. It‘s an insane thing to even consider.
That‘s not even the the tip of the iceberg but I think I‘ve said enough for one comment. I hope it can illustrate the sheer incompetence of the German government.
That’s a different problem, and I’m surprised the Germans are allowing that.
It’s also completely contrary to what I’ve seen reported by many foreigners working in Germany, where clearly the norm is to have zero overtime.