German media: Union warns: German companies lack future strategies

The metal industry union warns that German industry is facing a deep crisis, and German companies lack future strategies. She emphasized that cutting social benefits is not the solution, and called for a call to resist unfair competition from China.

The largest German union, the metal industry union (IG Metall), warned that German industry is facing a deep crisis, and the industry must work closely with employees and politicians to get through the difficulties.

The union's chairperson Christiane Benner recently pointed out that American tariffs, Chinese technological competition, and high energy prices caused by the war in Ukraine are all serious challenges.

She warned that these factors have already placed extreme pressure on the German economy. The export-oriented development model of Germany is in danger.

Benner called on Europe to make targeted investments, focusing on digitalization and future technologies, such as battery production.

She also welcomed the slowdown of the 2035 plan to completely phase out internal combustion engines. She said that this would give key industries space to develop better solutions and protect the core areas of industry.

She said it was a matter of great importance. Without industry, Germany would become a poor country. Once prosperity disappears, democracy will also be threatened.

Phasing out internal combustion engines takes time

On Tuesday, December 16, EU officials took action to relax the regulations on banning internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035. This move is a response to calls from governments and car manufacturers, who believe the industry needs more flexibility to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and achieve the EU's climate goals.

Benner emphasized that the long-term direction of the automotive industry remains electrification.

However, IG Metall supports greater flexibility in drive technology. She pointed out that green steel and renewable fuels also help in climate protection.

She said this could buy time, especially for the supplier industry.

She emphasized that time is needed to retrain employees and advance the transition in a socially responsible way. She said that companies have no excuse, and ensuring employment must be the top priority.

She warned not to let technical workers leave due to early retirement or unemployment.

She said employees should be retrained and shifted to growing fields with labor shortages, including aircraft manufacturing, medical technology, and energy transition. She added that she was not thinking only of the defense industry.

Many German companies lack future strategies

Benner also called on management to act more quickly and decisively.

She said according to information from the union committee, about half of the companies have no future strategy.

She said Germany needs real crisis managers. Currently, there is excessive complaining about the welfare state in companies, rather than clear future strategies.

She urged companies and industry associations to stop repeatedly criticizing the German social system. She believes that the government has already introduced several relief measures. These include reducing energy costs, promoting electric vehicle incentives, and improving depreciation rules.

She acknowledges that companies still have a lot to do. But she said these signals are not given enough attention.

She said demands for further cuts in social benefits are actually attacks on employees. She pointed out that all social benefit cuts, as well as claims that workers are too lazy or take too many sick days, are seen as attacks on individual employees.

Source: DW

Original: toutiao.com/article/1852798788184072/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.