Sahra Wagenknecht criticises the planned elimination of the daily maximum working hours, calling it a mistake. She argues that “sharpening the eight‑hour day is a challenge to all workers and their families”. Wagenknecht notes that employees already work increasingly many overtime hours, which must at least be compensated with appropriate premiums. In physically demanding jobs, extended work hours compromise health, and stress‑related illnesses have been rising for years. She also points out that longer working hours reduce productivity.
Wagenknecht sees the Social Democratic Party’s apparent interest in further flexibilisation as a “proof of poverty”. She says that instead of imposing weekend‑long attacks on workers, Germany needs a real shift in economic policy, with lower energy prices, reduced bureaucracy and investments in infrastructure to improve competitiveness. She believes current regulations already provide sufficient flexibility.