“ADFR will oppose this proposal. We believe the future of work is about working smarter, not simply longer. A 35-hour workweek and generous annual leave improve work-life balance, reduce burnout and can boost productivity. Especially for what concerns white-collar workers, which were often treated as modern slaves, sometimes worse than blue-collars. As a wealthy country, we can afford to protect workers' wellbeing whilst remaining competitive: economic data and the current cabinet's work have shown us as much, and we see no reason to reverse that progress. We understand smaller companies may struggle or need more hours, but that's why overtime exists (but it should be the exception, not the rule) and also the reason why we've always guaranteed a very high slice of our budget for business support.”
Employment Standards Reform of 2020
Rationale
This bill aims to modernize labor laws to balance worker well-being with economic competitiveness and flexibility for businesses by abolishing overregulation, while continuing to ensure fair conditions for employees.
Proposed Changes
| Law | Previous | Proposed | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maximum Working Hours |
35-hour weekly maximum
|
40-hour weekly maximum with overtime controls
|
|
| 2 | Paid Annual Leave |
6+ weeks statutory paid leave
|
~4 weeks statutory paid leave
|
1
Maximum Working Hours2
Paid Annual LeaveProposer
Party
Competence And Freedom
Competence and Freedom (C&F) is a centrist, technocratic party. We advocate for competent government, individual rights, a free market with sensible guardrails, accessible, high-quality education, and principled opposition to extremism and populism on both the far-right and the far-left.
Core pillars
Werner Müller
Activist · Age 61
A once-successful small-business owner who entered politics after a personal scandal exposed the hypocrisy of the establishment, Werner Müller’s charisma and street-smart instincts have made him a magnetic figure among disillusioned voters.
Timeline
-
Draft7 April 2020
-
Vote Open7 April 2020
-
Vote Closed6 June 2020
-
Did Not Become Law6 June 2020
Vote tally
Live tally across each chamber. Weighted by seats held.
Bundesrat
FailedFor: 22 / 69 seats (31.9%)
Against: 35 · Abstained: 0 · Not voted: 12
| Party | Seats | Vote | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance For Digital Freedom And Rights | 14 | No | ADFR will oppose this proposal. We believe the future of work is about working smarter, not simply longer. A 35-hour workweek and generous annual leave improve work-life balance, reduce burnout and can boost productivity. Especially for what concerns white-collar workers, which were often treated as modern slaves, sometimes worse than blue-collars. As a wealthy country, we can afford to protect workers' wellbeing whilst remaining competitive: economic data and the current cabinet's work have shown us as much, and we see no reason to reverse that progress. We understand smaller companies may struggle or need more hours, but that's why overtime exists (but it should be the exception, not the rule) and also the reason why we've always guaranteed a very high slice of our budget for business support. |
| Competence And Freedom Proposer | 12 | Yes | No reason given |
| Left Forward | 21 | No | This bill undermines labor rights. Our economic development clearly demonstrates the positive impact that labor law measures have had. Unemployment is at an all-time low, while the average wage has risen significantly and job satisfaction is high; at the same time, the economic damage caused by mental illness is very low. |
| Saxenheim Workers’ Union | 10 | Yes | A strong economy requires a productive workforce and competitive industries. While workers must be protected from exploitation, excessive restrictions on working hours and leave reduce flexibility, discourage investment, and place unnecessary burdens on employers. Fair conditions should be balanced with the long-term interests of the national economy. |
| Empty seats | 5 | Not voted |
Bundestag
FailedFor: 207 / 650 seats (31.8%)
Against: 329 · Abstained: 0 · Not voted: 114
| Party | Seats | Vote | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance For Digital Freedom And Rights | 130 | No | ADFR will oppose this proposal. We believe the future of work is about working smarter, not simply longer. A 35-hour workweek and generous annual leave improve work-life balance, reduce burnout and can boost productivity. Especially for what concerns white-collar workers, which were often treated as modern slaves, sometimes worse than blue-collars. As a wealthy country, we can afford to protect workers' wellbeing whilst remaining competitive: economic data and the current cabinet's work have shown us as much, and we see no reason to reverse that progress. We understand smaller companies may struggle or need more hours, but that's why overtime exists (but it should be the exception, not the rule) and also the reason why we've always guaranteed a very high slice of our budget for business support. |
| Competence And Freedom Proposer | 117 | Yes | No reason given |
| Left Forward | 199 | No | This bill undermines labor rights. Our economic development clearly demonstrates the positive impact that labor law measures have had. Unemployment is at an all-time low, while the average wage has risen significantly and job satisfaction is high; at the same time, the economic damage caused by mental illness is very low. |
| Saxenheim Workers’ Union | 90 | Yes | A strong economy requires a productive workforce and competitive industries. While workers must be protected from exploitation, excessive restrictions on working hours and leave reduce flexibility, discourage investment, and place unnecessary burdens on employers. Fair conditions should be balanced with the long-term interests of the national economy. |
| Empty seats | 52 | Not voted |
Voting record
Every vote must state a public reason. Most recent first.
“A strong economy requires a productive workforce and competitive industries. While workers must be protected from exploitation, excessive restrictions on working hours and leave reduce flexibility, discourage investment, and place unnecessary burdens on employers. Fair conditions should be balanced with the long-term interests of the national economy.”
“This bill undermines labor rights. Our economic development clearly demonstrates the positive impact that labor law measures have had. Unemployment is at an all-time low, while the average wage has risen significantly and job satisfaction is high; at the same time, the economic damage caused by mental illness is very low.”