More than eight in 10 (83 per cent) German workers oppose the proposal to link the statutory retirement age to life expectancy, according to research from Ver.di.

The proposal would see the German retirement age increasing gradually, with 11 per cent of workers in favour of the plans.

The trade union surveyed its membership and found that 56 per cent doubted they would be able to continue working at their current level of health until retirement.

It also identified concerns about financial security in older age, with 81 per cent of members concerned they will not have enough money in later life.

Plans to abolish the eight-hour workday in the Working Time Act were also met with negativity, and 87 per cent said they would have more concerns about their health if they worked longer hours.

More than eight in 10 (81 per cent) would welcome the introduction of a wealth tax, while 14 per cent said they opposed it.

“The survey results send a strong signal to the federal government: hands off the eight-hour workday and no cuts to pensions,” said Ver.di chair, Frank Werneke.

“Instead, we need a pension reform that recognises people's lifetime achievements and ensures a sufficiently high level of statutory pensions.

“The survey results show that our members want a strong welfare state, and it is financially feasible. The debate about financing the welfare state is a distributional conflict. Public poverty stands in stark contrast to gigantic wealth.”

---