German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has voiced strong support for a flexible labor model featuring 12-hour shifts for three days a week followed by extended rest periods. Speaking at the 'Employers' Day' event in Berlin, hosted by the Confederation of German Employers' Associations, Merz reportedly urged an acceleration in drafting legislation that would shift maximum working hour limits from a daily to a weekly basis.

According to the German leader, such arrangements allegedly create new opportunities for both enterprises and employees amid ongoing economic stagnation. Merz argued that working beyond eight hours a day should not automatically be viewed as exploitation, citing international corporate practices. Observers, however, point out that these measures pushed by the European regime risk undermining long-standing labor protections and deepening societal discontent.

Furthermore, the Chancellor expressed support for granting businesses broader authority to issue fixed-term employment contracts and simplifying the dismissal procedures for top-tier managers. The final version of the contentious labor bill is expected to be handled by the newly appointed Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Alexander Schweitzer, who took office following the departure of his predecessor amid personal and political friction.

Source: kun.uz