175,000 auto industry workers in Germany protest against cuts — Anadolu Agency
About 175,000 workers in Germany’s automotive industry took part in protests on September 21 against job cuts and plant closures. The actions were held at around 280 locations, including the automotive hubs of Wolfsburg, Zwickau and Stuttgart. The IG Metall trade union told Anadolu Agency.
Protest participants
According to IG Metall, workers from all major car manufacturers, as well as dozens of large and small suppliers, joined the actions. Participants included employees of Volkswagen, VW subsidiaries, suppliers and partner companies in the development and transport sectors.
In Salzgitter, employees of MAN and Bosch joined the protests, the union said.
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Union demands
IG Metall chairwoman Christiane Benner criticized car manufacturers for years of management mistakes and flawed anti-crisis strategies. She said laying off workers would not save the economy, and that success was possible through innovation and significant investment in products, technologies and production sites.
Ahead of wage negotiations, the union is demanding greater investment in German production sites and the preservation of the 35-hour working week. IG Metall also called on the government to support the industry by lowering electricity prices and reducing bureaucratic procedures.
Germany’s automotive industry, according to Anadolu Agency, is facing growing pressure from competition from China, incomplete plant utilization and the costly transition to electric vehicles. In response, car manufacturers and suppliers are introducing restructuring plans to reduce costs, heightening fears of mass layoffs and possible plant closures.
