German Union Warns of Health Risks as Government Considers Abolishing 8-Hour Workday
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A growing debate over working hours in Germany has ignited concerns about worker health and safety, as the federal government explores the possibility of allowing 12-hour shifts. The Food-Gourmet-Gaststätten union (NGG) is leading the opposition, arguing that extending workdays will have detrimental consequences for employees.
The “Daily Time Clock” of Bentheim County
A recent analysis of the Grafschaft Bentheim district reveals the sheer volume of work undertaken by its residents. According to calculations by the Pestel Institute, employees across all sectors – crafts, industry, services, and trade – collectively work around 238,000 hours each day. This staggering figure underscores the dedication of the workforce, but also highlights the potential for burnout and overwork. “This is the district’s great hard work – the ‘daily time clock of the county of Bentheim’,” one official stated.
Pushback Against Extended Shifts
The NGG is fiercely critical of the government’s consideration of 12-hour shifts, viewing it as a direct threat to established labor protections. “The federal government wants to abolish the 8-hour day. In the future, 12-hour shifts should be possible. Under no circumstances should that happen,” declared a senior representative of the NGG Osnabrück branch. The union warns that such a change would come at a significant cost to employee well-being.
The Toll of Long Hours
The NGG emphasizes the physical and mental strain associated with prolonged workdays. Individuals who consistently work more than ten hours a day or 40 hours a week often experience a range of health problems, beginning with headaches and dizziness. Digestive and sleep disorders are also frequently reported consequences. Irregular working hours, particularly those involving early, late, and night shifts, are especially disruptive to the body’s natural rhythms.
Occupational Safety at Risk
Beyond general health concerns, extended workdays pose a clear risk to occupational safety. Fatigue and decreased concentration significantly increase the likelihood of workplace accidents. “The risk of accidents increases sharply after eight hours. Ten hours or more in a row is highly risky. From the twelfth hour onwards, statistically twice as many accidents occur as in an 8-hour day,” a union spokesperson explained.
Increased Stroke Risk Linked to Overwork
The dangers extend beyond immediate safety concerns. Occupational medical examinations reveal a correlation between long working hours and an increased risk of stroke. The risk rises by 10 percent for those working between 41 and 48 hours per week, and jumps to a 33 percent increase for those working 55 or more hours weekly. “
“Hands Off the Working Time Law”
The NGG is urging its members to participate in the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) nationwide campaign, “With power for the 8,” to defend the existing working time regulations. The union is adamant about preserving the 8-hour workday as a cornerstone of occupational health and safety. “Good health protection means that the maximum working hours per day are properly regulated: no one is allowed to tamper with the 8-hour day. Anyone who deletes the maximum daily working time limit from the law is cutting into a central pillar of occupational health and safety,” the NGG representative concluded.
