Working up to 12 hours a day – according to Bavaria’s social affairs minister, this should be possible voluntarily, especially in the social economy. Criticism comes from a large employer.
Bavaria’s Minister of Social Affairs Ulrike Scharf (CSU) emphasized her call for more flexible working hours at the opening of the Consozial 2022 social fair in Nuremberg on Wednesday. “We must openly discuss longer working hours of up to 12 hours on individual days and a working week of 48 hours – flexibly and on a voluntary basis by the employees,” said Scharf.
“I call for a modern, flexible working time law for the social economy,” said the minister. To do this, everyone involved would have to sit down at one table – employees, employers, trade unions and politicians. “We have to break new ground,” said Scharf.
Clear criticism from the workers’ welfare
“With around 450,000 employees, the social economy is one of the most important economic factors in Bavaria,” said the minister. It lives from the employees who work with their heads, hearts and minds. “No one should work anymore – but we urgently need to renew the structures and ensure flexibility,” she added. Health and safety at work are crucial.
Criticism came from the Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO) Bavaria, one of the largest employers in the social economy in Bavaria. “That would not just be a step, but a sprint backwards,” said the two AWO state chairmen Nicole Schley and Stefan Wolfshörndl on Wednesday, according to a statement.
In order to reduce the shortage of skilled workers in the industry, “bold measures” are needed – for example “the 35-hour week with full wage compensation, good working conditions and more staff, but no endless shifts that become a hamster wheel for the skilled workers”.
Source: Stern
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
