Merz’s party vows to clamp down on Germany’s ‘lifestyle part-time work’

Business wing of Christian Democrats aims to scrap legal right to fewer hours, saying people should need permission

The business wing of Germany's leading Christian Democrats party is proposing a ban on workers' legal entitlement to work part-time, arguing that those wishing to work fewer hours should have to acquire special permission to do so.

Currently, every employee in Europe's largest economy has a fundamental right to carry out part-time work, with many, particularly women, often needing to do so for reasons relating to childcare or looking after elderly relatives.