German companies began observing a four-day working week on a trial basis in an attempt to revive the country’s struggling economy, SchengenVisaInfo reported on Friday
According to the new regime effective from February 1, the workers will enjoy a three-day long weekend while still getting paid the same salary.
As many as 45 companies in Germany will introduce a 4-day workweek for half a year while employees will continue to receive their full salary.
The initiative is led by the consulting firm Intraprenör in collaboration with the non-profit organization 4 Day Week Global (4DWG).
Germany’s Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health data showed that on average workers missed 21.3 work days in 2022 as the country suffered €207 billion losses in value-added.
The country shortened foreigners’ paths to citizenship and ended a ban on dual nationality last month by passing a naturalisation law designed to attract more migrant workers.
The new law, a signature policy of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition of centrist and left-leaning parties, was adopted after a stormy debate in parliament, during which opposition legislators accused the government of devaluing citizenship and adding to the burden migration is placing on public services.
