Following her May 1st speech in Haderslev, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (S) clarified her previous comment on Danish working hours, which had caused confusion among the public and the media. During a press conference, she emphasized that there are no plans to extend the working hours for Danes. Earlier, a remark from the Prime Minister that “Danish workers cannot leave the assembly line at 4 pm when the Russians continue to work,” had attracted attention and led to misunderstandings. Frederiksen explained that her statement was taken out of context and was meant as a metaphor for the security-political situation, not as a concrete labor policy measure. “I have nothing to criticize about the work ethic of the Danes,” said Frederiksen, adding that the government values the efforts that the Danish workforce makes every day. She also assured that there are no plans to require Danes to work more than the current working hours.
This clarifying statement from the Prime Minister comes as a reassurance to many Danes who were concerned about possible changes in their work life. Frederiksen hopes that her clarification will alleviate any worries and highlight the government’s continued focus on maintaining a balance between work and personal life.