In Germany, the standard workweek is legally set at 40 hours, but certain industries have long had special arrangements. In 1984, metalworkers in former West Germany staged a seven-week strike and successfully negotiated a reduction to 35 hours per week. Today, this shorter workweek applies to around 20% of German employees, mainly in sectors like automotive, engineering, steel, and metallurgy. However, some business leaders are now pushing to end this exception, arguing that it has become a financial burden in today's economic climate. Nikolas Stihl, CEO of the chainsaw manufacturer Stihl, has called for returning to a 40-hour workweek without increasing salaries. He says the productivity advantage that once justified higher labor costs in Germany compared to other countries no longer exists. His goal is to remain competitive, keep production in Germany, and protect jobs. Similar concerns were raised by Martin Brudermüller, chairman of the supervisory board at Mercedes-Benz, who argued that German labor costs are too high compared to international standards. He suggested either cutting wages—something he called "practically unacceptable"—or increasing work hours for the same pay. He said it’s reasonable to expect employees to work longer hours in today’s difficult economic environment. Recent months have seen growing pressure on German industries, which are facing significant challenges. Volkswagen has announced plans to cut 100,000 jobs by 2030, and since its peak in late 2017, Germany’s industrial output has dropped by more than 15%. This decline has been driven by rising energy costs, fierce competition from China, and U.S. trade tariffs. Nikolas Stihl noted that in "normal times," Germany could afford the 35-hour week, but that is no longer the case. Marcus Berret of the consulting firm Roland Berger added that German labor costs have risen sharply, creating a significant gap with countries in Eastern Europe, where labor is often three to four times cheaper. Germany’s largest labor union, IG Metall, is resisting efforts to return to a 40-hour workweek without additional pay. Nadine Boguslawski, who handles collective bargaining for the union, said that the rigid 35-hour week often discussed doesn’t actually exist because agreements with employers allow for flexible working hours. She warned that moving back to a 40-hour week—whether with or without overtime pay—could lead to fewer workers being needed. It’s worth noting that German workers, on average, work fewer hours per year than employees in nearly all other OECD countries, largely because a significant portion of the workforce is employed part-time, especially among women.