German companies began observing a four-day working week on a trial basis in an attempt to revive the country’s struggling economy, SchengenVisaInfo reported on Friday

According to the new regime effective from February 1, the workers will enjoy a three-day long weekend while still getting paid the same salary.

As many as 45 companies in Germany will introduce a 4-day workweek for half a year while employees will continue to receive their full salary.

The initiative is led by the consulting firm Intraprenör in collaboration with the non-profit organization 4 Day Week Global (4DWG).

Read: Germany may need over 600,000 nurses in next 25 years

Germany’s Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health data showed that on average workers missed 21.3 work days in 2022 as the country suffered €207 billion losses in value-added.

The country shortened foreigners’ paths to citizenship and ended a ban on dual nationality last month by passing a naturalisation law designed to attract more migrant workers.

The new law, a signature policy of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition of centrist and left-leaning parties, was adopted after a stormy debate in parliament, during which opposition legislators accused the government of devaluing citizenship and adding to the burden migration is placing on public services.

Later, reports said that the German government was considering introducing a new scheme to allow foreigners to enlist in the country’s army and obtain citizenship in a short period.

In this regard, the government was discussing granting German citizenship quicker to foreigners without undergoing extended procedures after recruitment, SchengenVisaInfo reported.