Germany is looking at tax breaks and welfare reforms to encourage people to work more, joining the UK and the Netherlands on a quest to tackle the region’s economic malaise by reversing a big drop in average working hours.
After months of debate, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s ruling coalition is preparing a “growth plan” to be unveiled as soon as next month that aims to make working longer hours more rewarding. Options under discussion include tax cuts on overtime and a benefits overhaul, according to people familiar with the plans.
The drop in working hours across Europe since the pandemic has exacerbated the region’s economic…
