ChiefT, quoting without naming the source is not common practice anywhere.
The source is "Der Spiegel online".
And it is a bunch of nonsense.
I am too lazy to think about each one, but
80 hours flight service per month pilots may operate in the cockpit according to the law. A flight operation can take up to 16 hours including preparation and waiting times. Overall, a 40-hour week.
is obviously wrong.
As a pilot you should know this. Also the max hours can be increased with enlarged crew.