Posted on 06/23/2004 7:30:14 PM PDT by Pikamax
Edited on 07/19/2004 2:14:39 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
Germany Plans to Extend Working Hours for Civil Servants June 23 (Bloomberg) -- German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's cabinet is planning to extend weekly working hours for federal government-employed civil servants to ease pressure on a budget strained by dwindling tax receipts and rising welfare costs.
(Excerpt) Read more at quote.bloomberg.com ...
Sending them home early is the only way to truly cut costs.
Interesting how the German populace became so lazy with all the welfare benefits. Up until about 1980 they were among the most industrious workers in Europe, hence their prosperity. The uniting with the eastern sector in 1990 dealt a sever blow to the economy, bacause of having to absorb all those socialists into the western system. Unfortunately the western politicians capitulated to union demands.
Interesting too the Bavaria has alread instituted longer hours for civil servants. That's why Bavaria is the most prosperous of the states and usually votes more conservative.
Isn't a budget deficit by definition a funding shortfall?
On the other hand, if they worked longer hours, there could be (not necessarily would be) fewer of them. Frankly, I don't know anyone in the private sector who works less than 12 hours a day. Some work 14 or more. What makes government employees so special that they can coast? Have you ever seen their pension plans?
If they can make that happen,,,,, Call The Vatican.
Why don't they just raise taxes instead? Did the rich finally run out of money, or did they leave the country?
These are german government workers we are discussing. US government employees get only a half hour for lunch.
Question for you ~ what do the government pension plans offer? Give us some details.
Frankly, I don't know anyone in the private sector who works less than 12 hours a day. Some work 14 or more.
You mean the executives or CEO types? My brother works as a senior engineer in auto industry in Detroit and he typically works around 9-10 hours a day (but he does have conferences or OT work cropping up frequently). I once worked in a electrical utilities company here in Auckland (New Zealand) as summer job and I never met anyone who had to make it later than 5:30.
According to surveys conducted in NZ, less than 10% of all people work for more than 60 hours a week. Still, our figures are halfway between you and Europeans.
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