Germany Plans 12-Hour Workday and Slashes Western Balkan Worker Permits by 50%

Germany is proposing significant changes to labor law, including a potential 12-hour workday and a drastic cut in work permits for Western Balkan migrants.

Starting January 2027, Germany plans to reduce the annual work permits for Western Balkan citizens from 50,000 to 25,000. Alongside this, the government suggests implementing a more flexible working hours system that could allow shifts up to 12 hours, replacing the current eight-hour daily limit. These changes aim to address severe labor shortages but have sparked concerns among workers regarding work-life balance. Workers in Germany, especially migrants from the Western Balkans, should stay informed about these developments and prepare for potential changes in employment conditions.

Source: Banking News – https://www.bankingnews.gr/diethni/articles/908107/germany-plans-12-hour-workday-and-slashes-western-balkan-worker-permits-by-50