It was a coup by the youngsters of the party, the Jusos: When the SPD met for their debate convention in Berlin at the weekend, the Jusos set an accent in labor market policy that should keep the Social Democrats busy for a long time to come. “In order to create a working environment that gives employees quality of life and self-determination, we are committed to a weekly working time of 25 hours in the medium term.” That’s what it says in the “Ar008” motion, which surprisingly came to a vote in the last few meters of the meeting. And the paper goes on to say: “Full wage compensation is needed” so that there are no salary losses.
It sounds like a small revolution, for which a majority was found among the delegates at the end of the convention: less work for the same money. The 25-hour week should come, that’s the SPD line now.
The party leadership did not want it that way. Throughout the weekend, the focus was on the question of what needs to change in society in times of digital and economic change. But the two party leaders Saskia Esken and Lars Klingbeil and Secretary General Kevin Kühnert didn’t want to be that specific.
“Secure jobs with good pay” are mentioned, for example, in the lead proposal that has been passed. In the midst of a shortage of skilled workers and the economic downturn, the leadership of the SPD did not want to send the signal that less work could be done. The application committee wanted to move the Jusos paper to the committees and not yet decide on it. But the Jusos didn’t want to put up with that. While their people were still in the conference hall, a number of other delegates had already made their way home. Juso Chairwoman Jessica Rosenthal took advantage of the moment and finally got her application through.
Now the question is: what now?
Minister of Labor and party colleague Hubertus Heil had talked heatedly to Jessica Rosenthal in the conference hall. He fears that the economy has no understanding for such an advance in the current situation. When asked how his ministry is now dealing with the new line in the SPD, he said on Monday rather succinctly: “The introduction of a statutory 25-hour week is not planned in Germany.” Heil’s department also does not see itself as responsible: “The ordinance leaves decisions about the organization of working hours to the collective agreement and the respective employment contract parties,” says a spokeswoman. From the Central Association of Crafts and the Confederation of Employers’ Associations, no comments were initially available on Monday.
“It’s about ending self-exploitation in this system.”
In the SPD, on the other hand, there is not much to sort out: a decision is a decision. Gustav Horn, a member of the party executive and economist, says: “I’m a skeptical supporter.” It worries about those who earn little anyway. For them, shorter working hours could exacerbate the situation. It must also be clarified what exactly is meant by the “full wage compensation” that is mentioned in the resolution. Because this includes only six lines of text in the application book. He also sees the problems that the shortage of skilled workers brings with it. But Horn says: “If everyone works less, some can work more.” Worrying and taking care of yourself in private could be divided up differently. But the decision is not one that can be implemented tomorrow.
The day after the convention, Jessica Rosenthal was satisfied with herself and her Jusos. You have succeeded in sending a political signal. “Work is extremely important. Everyone should have a job that pays well and the conditions are right. But work isn’t everything,” she says Süddeutsche Zeitung. “It’s about ending self-exploitation in this system.”
She is also clear on another point: “My expectation is that the SPD will now also represent the decision.” Wanting to reduce working hours is the “party line”. She also doesn’t understand why the SPD leadership is struggling with the decision: “That used to be the SPD’s program, why shouldn’t that be the case again today?”
What do the Jusos mean by “medium term” when it comes to implementation? Jessica Rosenthal says: “This means that we are now doing all we can to discuss with the unions, for example, how we can promote such models.” From her point of view, the shortage of skilled workers would not necessarily stand in the way: “If the mechanization in the working world continues to advance and we shape immigration policy progressively, the 25-hour week is a real option, also because everyone will then remain healthier.” Shorter working hours could make very stressful jobs, for example in care, more attractive again. And if everyone only works 25 hours a week in the future, management positions with fewer hours “are no longer the issue”.
The Juso boss says: “This is a real opportunity for equality.” It just won’t be easy. “It will be a tough political battle to gather majorities behind it.” At least she did it once.