The left supports IG Metall’s plans for a four-day week with full wage compensation. “The four-day week is not an unworldly fantasy, but has long been practice in some countries,” said co-party leader Martin Schirdewan of the German Press Agency.
Experiences from Sweden, Iceland and Belgium show that a four-day week reduces the workload and increases productivity. “It means more time to live and less stress.”
The chief negotiator for IG Metall in the north-west German steel industry, Knut Giesler, had announced that he would go into the next wage round with the demand for the introduction of the four-day week with full wage compensation. The demand basically had an impact beyond the steel industry, explained trade union boss Jörg Hofmann.
Schirdewan said a four-day week reduces journeys and energy costs, which is also good for the climate. “In addition, a 4-day week would make sectors that are now complaining about labor shortages more attractive.”
