I can't imagine a worker rejecting an increasing in working hours proposed by an employer.
Why? If the worker doesn't want to work more, he will just tell his boss "go to hell, if you are not happy we go on strike." and unions will be all too happy to take their red flags and picket untill the director apologize.
The worker works under written contract and if the contract states that he has to work 48h, he has no obligation to accept to work more under any circumstance and he/she can't be fired before the termination of the contract.
Why it would boost employement?
First by turning legal black workers (seasonal workers, foreign construction workers etc)
For the "Polish plumber" the 60h week is already a matter of fact.
I agree that this is not
creating jobs, just legalizing. But as statistics and social security are concerned, jobs are being created.
Second by allowing flexibility, some jobs that were until now too expensive to be created because they would require two persons working 40 or 48 hours each, can now be offered.
I imagine some low duty work such as sitting on a chair reading a magazine until a monitor beeps, mowing lawn and gathering leafs etc
But more specificaly there could situations when one ned somebody 60 hours a week: Under the current legislation this has to be done through two 3/4 times of 30h which is more expensive and more complicated than one full time +1/4.
The only problem is if the hourly salary depreciate.
We can imagine that on the long term, long weeks become the norm and finaly the basic salary which coupled with inflation, is the same than a 48h week salary a few years before.
I don't think we will get there soon but I agree it's worth watching.