leaving the question:

Germany has poor work-security, high unemployment, weak worker-protection laws and a TERRIBLE development in living-standard the last 20 years or so. (according to Spiegel the average worker earned MORE 20 years ago than they do today when you compensate for inflation)

This gives you as a worker poor leverage. You have to put up with crap if you like it or not, because the alternative may very well be that you're unemployed tomorrow. This is far from idiotic.

The reason it would be idiotic to agree to unpaid overtime in Norway is that the situation is different. Unemployment is essentially nil, worker-protection is strong, and people therefore aren't used to accepting crap, which again means that employers wouldn't even expect you to.

There is -zero- chance you'll lose your job over refusing unpaid overtime. Why would you when 99% of the rest of the workforce would not only refuse it but actually laugh, stand up and leave the room if any employer would even suggest it.

Being let go ain't much of a threat when:

a) You could sue the previous employer for the unpaid overtime and win.

b) You'd have a new job within the month for sure, probably within the week.

c) Your previous employer would have a hell of a time finding someone to replace you, quite possibly your position would be open for months.

(I lived in germany for a few years and my wife is German, I do know the situation there. It's a damn pity is what, and idiots is the last thing I'd call people who are taken advantage of there...)