Illegal Sunday and Holiday Work Doubles in Germany Amid Declining Oversight

The number of employees legally working on Sundays and holidays in Germany has more than doubled over the past decade, rising from about 25,000 in 2015 to over 51,700 in 2025, according to the Federal Ministry of Labor. This surge coincides with a massive increase in reported violations of illegal Sunday and holiday work, which have soared by more than 1600% during the same period, reaching 98 reported cases. However, only six of Germany's federal states actively monitor these violations, suggesting the true figure could be considerably higher.

At the same time, labor time inspections have declined significantly. Controls dropped about 11% from 2023 to 2024 and by 23% since 2015. Despite reduced inspections, penalties including warnings and fines have remained steady. Critics argue that labor time regulations are becoming increasingly lenient, allowing more exceptions for work on Sundays and holidays, and that enforcement of these laws is inadequate.

Anne Zerr, a Left Party politician, described the current labor time law as "full of holes," highlighting the rise in unauthorized Sunday and holiday work and the growing number of employees working under official exceptions. She also condemned proposed plans that would further relax the law by loosening daily work hour limits, potentially enabling even more Sunday and holiday labor.

The overall labor landscape has undergone notable changes in the past decade, driven by digitalization that facilitates weekend and holiday work, alongside numerous relaxations in store opening hours and labor contracts. This evolving environment, combined with reduced government oversight, raises concerns about worker rights and compliance with labor protections in Germany.