Is Germany's eight-hour workday under threat?

The town of Leuna, in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt, is one of the country's largest chemical industry hub, where more than 100 companies have established operations. Among them is the Finnish biotechnology group UPM, which has recently built a biorefinery for wood-based chemicals in Leuna. It's now hiring. One of the job listings is for a chemical technician to oversee the rollout of new facilities. But to qualify, candidates must be willing to work 12-hour shifts. Is that legal? According to German law, standard working hours are limited to eight hours per day.