German politicians and business leaders are facing a contentious issue that was once considered taboo: the topic of German workers not putting in enough hours. The country’s weak economy has led to concerns about productivity and labor shortages, prompting Finance Minister Christian Lindner to criticize their work ethic compared to other countries. He argued that “in Italy, France and elsewhere they work a lot more than we do.” Similarly, Economy Minister Robert Habeck expressed frustration with workers striking, stating that such disruptions were detrimental to the country’s economic stability.
These comments sparked a debate on work hours and productivity in Germany. For instance, train drivers recently secured a reduction in their work week from 38 hours to 35 hours, despite concerns about labor shortages. Deutsche Bank AG CEO Christian Sewing also voiced his opposition to a four-day work week, urging Germans to work more and harder instead.
The discussion surrounding German work habits reflects broader concerns about the country’s economic competitiveness and productivity. With leaders calling for increased work hours and greater efficiency, it remains uncertain how the workforce will respond to these challenges.
