The city of Luna in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, is recognized as one of the largest centers of the chemical industry in the country, where over 100 companies operate. One of these companies is the Finnish biotechnology group UPM, which has recently launched a biorefinery for producing wood-based chemicals in Luna and is now seeking to hire new staff.
12-Hour Shifts and Legal Challenges
One of the company's job postings is for a chemical technician who will be responsible for overseeing the startup of new facilities. However, to qualify, candidates must be prepared to work 12-hour shifts. The question arises whether this action is legal. According to German law, standard working hours are limited to eight hours a day, with the possibility of extending it to 10 hours, provided that workers receive compensatory time for overtime and the interval between two shifts must be at least 11 hours.
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Pressure for Legal Changes
Business associations and the conservative parties CDU and CSU have long called for greater flexibility in these laws. Rainer Dulger, president of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA), refers to the European working time directive, which permits a maximum of 48 working hours per week. He told the dpa news agency, "This permission is used almost everywhere except here."
Companies say they often find existing regulations too strict, especially in industries with seasonal fluctuations, such as tourism, or in labor-based projects, as well as during peak workload times, such as the restaurant industry. Dulger states, "The working hours law relates to the era of fax machines and rotary phones and is unaware of modern electronic devices."
Coalition Agreement and Resistance to Changes
In the 2025 coalition agreement, CDU/CSU and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) agreed to reform the working hours law. According to this agreement, the goal is to allow maximum working hours weekly instead of daily to help achieve a better work-life balance. The SPD was inclined to maintain existing laws but was forced to accept the conservative parties' plans. The Social Democrats pointed out that longer working hours are permitted in exceptional cases, such as emergency services and the healthcare sector.
Friedrich Merz, the Chancellor of Germany, after visiting UPM facilities in Luna, stated at a conference for employers in Berlin that he was surprised by the 12-hour shifts and that this indicates the benefits of flexibility in working hours law. He said, "Working more than eight hours is not exploitation, but it can be a suitable opportunity to organize working hours flexibly."
Opponents and Possible Consequences
On the other hand, the SPD and labor unions oppose the reform of the working hours law. The Verdi union argues that longer working hours can have negative consequences for workers' health and especially pressure those with family responsibilities. Additionally, in some industries, employees may feel pressured to accept longer shifts.
The initial draft of the reforms was prepared by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in June 2026 but has since been awaiting approval. This draft includes conditions, including collective agreements between employers and unions as well as monitoring health and safety.
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