German unions push back against chancellor’s labor reforms

German trade unions have voiced strong opposition to the labor reforms being advanced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, signaling growing tensions between the government, workers, and businesses.

Yasmin Fahimi, head of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), described the eight-hour workday as a “red line” that cannot be crossed. She warned that any attempt to amend the working hours law would provoke “nothing but conflict from our side,” BILD reports.

Union officials have expressed frustration with what they describe as “Merz’s sharp tone,” and have not ruled out organizing street protests, including large-scale demonstrations. Fahimi stressed that discussions of a longer workweek would not address the core challenges facing businesses, noting that such measures would not “improve company workloads or fill order books.” At the same time, unions see significant potential to mobilize public opposition against the government’s policies.

Pressure is also mounting from the business sector. Rainer Dulger, President of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations, called for extensive reforms, including reducing unemployment benefit periods, implementing tax relief measures, and introducing unpaid sick days.

By Vafa Guliyeva