Overtime labor exceeds 3.4 million hours in Lübeck, with a significant number of workers receiving no pay for extra hours.

In the ongoing consultation about reducing the 8-hour workday in the German Bundestag, the NGG Lübeck has voiced its opposition to the proposed changes. The consultation, led by governmental bodies and parliamentary committees responsible for labor law and working time regulations, involves members of parliament, government officials, and external interest groups such as trade unions and employer associations.

Dirk Himmelmann, a representative from the NGG Lübeck, has expressed his belief that more flexibility is not necessary and questioned the practicality of longer working days (10- or 12-hour days). He stated that these extended hours do not address the issue of missing skilled workers and could potentially prevent a fair distribution of paid work, childcare, and care.

Himmelmann also emphasized the importance of good working conditions as a means to attract and retain skilled workers. He suggested that improving working conditions, promoting compatibility of family and career, systematic qualification, and more training are the keys to increasing the number of skilled workers.

The main concern of the NGG Lübeck is to ensure predictable and reliable working hours for individuals balancing family, career, and care for relatives. Himmelmann believes that longer daily working hours are thought to strengthen the single-earner model and could exacerbate the problems families currently face in balancing job, childcare, and care for relatives.

The NGG Lübeck's stance is that the focus should be on creating better working conditions, promoting compatibility of family and career, and investing in systematic qualification and training to attract and retain skilled workers. They warn that XXL shifts prevent a genuine compatibility of family and career.

It is worth noting that flexible working hours within the framework of the Working Hours Act and through collective agreements are already common for many employees. However, Himmelmann's statement indicates that he believes in the importance of systematic qualification and training as a means to increase the number of skilled workers, rather than relying on the relaxation of the 8-hour day as a comprehensive solution to the issue of staffing levels.

In response to these concerns, Himmelmann has appealed to the Members of the German Bundestag from Lübeck and the region to stop the tinkering with the Working Hours Act in Berlin. The NGG Lübeck has launched an appeal to German MPs against the abolition of the 8-hour day, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the issue of skilled workers in Germany.

Overtime labor exceeds 3.4 million hours in Lübeck, with a significant number of workers receiving no pay for extra hours.