DGB warns: Eroding the 8-hour day endangers workers' rights!

DGB warns: Eroding the 8-hour day endangers workers' rights!

In the current economic crisis, the topic of employee rights is particularly hotly debated. DGB district chairman Werner Gloning commented on the ongoing changes in labor law at a summer meeting of the DGB unions in the district and made it clear that the rights of employees should not be taken lightly. “We are watching with concern as attempts are being made to relax the working time law again,” said Gloning. These concerns are particularly relevant since over a billion hours of overtime are worked annually in Germany, more than half of which remain unpaid, as can be read on schwaben.dgb.de.

There are repeated efforts to increase the upper limit of daily working hours to up to 13 hours. The DGB district executive and trade unions firmly reject this erosion of the Working Hours Act. “Longer working hours not only lead to health problems, but also make it more difficult to combine work and family,” emphasizes the deputy DGB district chairwoman Gabriele Brenner. She was also surprised by developments in the SPD, especially the coalition agreement, which shows similar tendencies.

The protection of workers

In Germany, the Working Hours Act (ArbZG) regulates not only the maximum working hours, but also the mandatory rest periods for employees. The aim is to protect the health and safety of employees. Nevertheless, many employees complain about unpaid overtime and constant availability in their free time. According to a DGB index, many employees suffer from atypical work situations that have a negative impact on their health, as dgb.de reports.

An example of the harassment is working in the evenings (26%) and on weekends (25%). In addition, many employees are affected by the increase in their work tasks, which is perceived as stressful. The legally required minimum rest period of 11 hours is often not adhered to, which can lead to psychosomatic complaints. “Clear limits for daily working hours are required here,” says Gloning, pointing out the importance of reliable working hours for people with family obligations.

The demands of the unions

In this context, the unions are calling for concrete measures: clear regulations for daily working hours, reliable rest periods and real co-determination in the organization of working hours. Part-time workers, often women, must be able to increase their working hours as needed without being disadvantaged. Such demands are not only socially fair, but are also covered by the European Working Time Directive, which sets a maximum working time of 48 hours per week and includes the right to breaks after six hours and four weeks of paid vacation, as stated on verdi.de.

Finally, the members of the DGB district executive committee appeal to the SPD to take a decisive stance against the current reform proposals, which question protection against dismissal for older employees. “A fair and socially acceptable organization of working hours is essential for a healthy and productive society,” is the final message from Gloning and Brenner.