The business faction of Germany's dominant Christian Democrats (CDU) party has ignited a fierce debate by advocating for the abolition of workers' statutory right to part-time employment. Under the controversial proposal, individuals seeking reduced hours would need to obtain explicit permission, a move aimed at curbing what the group terms 'lifestyle part-time work'. This initiative emerges as Germany grapples with a significant shortage of skilled labour and sluggish economic growth.
Proposal Targets 'Lifestyle' Part-Time Work
Currently, every employee in Europe's largest economy enjoys a fundamental legal entitlement to work part-time, a provision often utilised by women balancing childcare or eldercare responsibilities. However, the CDU's influential business wing, representing small- and medium-sized enterprises, argues that this right exacerbates labour market strains. Gitta Connemann, the wing's chair, stated in an interview with Stern magazine, "Those who can work more should work more." The motion, leaked to the press, is expected to be ratified at the CDU's general conference in Stuttgart next month, thereby becoming official party policy.
Exemptions and Internal Opposition
The proposed legislation includes exemptions for individuals raising children, caring for relatives, or engaging in professional development through training. Nevertheless, those choosing part-time work outside these categories would lose their automatic right to reduced hours. This stance has already provoked internal dissent within the CDU. Dennis Radtke, chair of the party's social wing, criticised the business group's priorities, telling the Funke media group that such a restriction "amounts to putting the cart before the horse." He emphasised that while encouraging a shift to full-time employment is desirable, many perceive it as a trap due to employer inflexibility, lower pay, and limited career progression.
Economic Context and International Comparisons
Germany's part-time employment rate rose to just over 40% in the third quarter of 2025, partly driven by growth in health, social services, education, and teaching sectors, alongside a decline in manufacturing where full-time roles are more common. Notably, 76% of part-time workers in Germany are women, a figure comparable to the United Kingdom and France. In contrast, the UK's part-time rate stands at about 24% as of 2025, while France's is just under 18% in 2024. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recently highlighted that the German economy suffers from inadequate integration of women and older people into the workforce.
Chancellor Merz's Stance on Work Ethic
The proposal aligns with comments from Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has voiced concerns about Germans' perceived lack of motivation. Under pressure to stimulate economic growth, Merz has asserted that the country's prosperity cannot be maintained "with a four-day week and work-life balance." He recently criticised the ease of obtaining sick notes via telephone consultations with GPs, effectively accusing some workers of skiving. Radtke countered that improving childcare and eldercare infrastructure is essential to enabling those who wish to work more, arguing that care decisions should remain with individual families rather than being dictated by policy.
As the CDU prepares to vote on this contentious motion, the debate underscores broader tensions between labour flexibility, economic demands, and social welfare in one of Europe's key economies.
