Bosch Mobility Production Council Chairman Frank Sell has called for a working group comprising the federal government, business representatives, and trade unions to address the crisis in the German automotive sector.
The situation in the German automotive industry has deteriorated significantly in recent months. On Friday, tens of thousands of people held rallies to protest cuts to payments under the collective bargaining agreement at Mercedes-Benz. Volkswagen is also preparing a tough austerity plan and intends to close four of its plants in Germany. BMW, meanwhile, announced plans to cut up to 5,000 jobs and lower its profit forecast. Auto parts supplier Bosch posted a loss for the first time since the 2008-2009 global financial crisis.
Against this backdrop, some German automakers have floated the proposal to increase their employees' weekly working hours without extra pay.
IG Metall union representatives described these moves by automakers as a "sham fight and dirty game," warning of a "hot autumn" and fierce resistance to any attempts to cut social standards.
Bosch Mobility constitutes the main division of the Bosch group, specializing in the development and production of automotive components, control systems, and mobility technologies.