Self-employed workers in Germany log the highest average working hours, surpassing other employee groups
Executive summary: A Der Spiegel article shows that self-employed workers in Germany record the most working hours compared with other employee groups. The figure fuels debate over working-time limits and social-security fairness for freelancers, potentially influencing labor-law revisions.
Who is involved: Self-employed workers in Germany; German political parties Linke and SPD commenting on work exploitation.
Likely next: No further developments or official reactions are reported in the source.
Der Spiegel reports that self-employed individuals in Germany work more hours on average than any other labor segment, a finding highlighted amid regular criticisms from the Left and SPD about employee exploitation. The data point rekindles debate over whether current working-time regulations adequately cover freelancers and independent contractors. While the excerpt offers no specifics on hours or sector breakdown, it places the self-employed cohort at the center of ongoing labor-policy discussions.
Timeline
- — Selbstständige leisten die meisten Arbeitsstunden (Der Spiegel — Wirtschaft)
Analysis — what this means
Sectors affected
- German self-employed labor market
- Tax advisory services
- International labor organization
Key entities
Sources
- Selbstständige leisten die meisten Arbeitsstunden — Der Spiegel — Wirtschaft