Alarm in the Ahrweiler district: 1.3 million overtime hours for employees!

Alarm in the Ahrweiler district: 1.3 million overtime hours for employees!

In the Ahrweiler district, the situation of employees is becoming increasingly urgent: Last year, employees worked a total of around 1.3 million overtime hours, of which over 681,000 were unpaid. These alarming figures come from the Pestel Institute's “Working Time Monitor”, which was created on behalf of the Food, Pleasure and Restaurants union (NGG). The catering industry is particularly affected, where around 34,000 overtime hours were worked, 53 percent of which were unpaid View current reported.

The NGG is sounding the alarm and warning of a further increase in overtime, particularly due to the federal government's planned reform of the Working Hours Act. These changes could call into question the 8-hour day and maximum weekly working hours. Currently, a maximum working time of 48 hours per week is permitted, but in exceptional cases even up to 60 hours is possible. The union fears that employers could even demand up to 73.5 hours per week in the future.

Political plans and their consequences

The federal government, under the leadership of Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), is planning to reform the maximum weekly working hours. Merz calls for more efficient work, while experts warn that such flexibility poses health risks. The current regulation allows daily working hours of up to 10 hours, which already differs in certain professions such as healthcare. However, a possible introduction of a maximum weekly working time could make the situation even worse ZDF today reported.

A short study by the Hugo Sinzheimer Institute for Labor Law warns of the negative effects that longer working hours can have on health and the compatibility of family and work. After all, the employment rate for women increased to 73 percent between 1991 and 2022, even though more and more women are working part-time. A third of employees will work part-time in 2023, making the situation even more complicated.

Health risks and compatibility

The health risks of long working hours should not be underestimated. Longer working days not only increase the risk of mental illness, but also accidents at work. The average illness rate for mental illnesses in 2023 was 33 days. The experts from the Hans Böckler Foundation emphasize that a reform of working conditions is necessary in order to improve the demands of employees when it comes to the organization of their working hours Böckler Foundation.

The NGG is therefore calling on members of the Bundestag to stop the planned changes to the Working Hours Act. The eight-hour day, which has been part of working time law since 1918, could be called into question by the reforms. A rethink is required to ensure good working conditions and a better work-life balance. There is growing pressure on politicians to find solid solutions that meet the needs of both employers and employees.