German industry workers rally for jobs and innovation boost
Over 81,000 industry workers took to the streets of German cities over the weekend, demanding greater investments and job protection. The demonstrations organized by IG Metall are the largest union action in decades. The union is calling for active industrial policies and support for innovation.
Massive demonstrations under the slogan "My Job. Our Industrial Country. Our Future!" were held this past weekend in several German cities. According to the organizers, over 81,000 people participated in rallies organized by the IG Metall union. Protests took place in the towns of Hanover, Stuttgart, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Leipzig. Reports are next.gazeta.pl.
The demonstrators expressed concern about the future of German industry and their jobs. IG Metall demands that politicians and company boards actively engage in the modernisation and development of key sectors, primarily through investments in innovations and future technologies.
Without industry, Germany will be a poor country. We will not allow this – declared IG Metall chairwoman Christiane Benner.
The government plans to stimulate the economy
The union accuses companies of reducing employment, moving production abroad, and not taking action to develop modern solutions domestically.
The protests coincided with an agreement by the new CDU and SPD coalition, which plans to relax the so-called debt brake and increase funds to stimulate the economy and finance defence.
The new Bundestag is to adopt a financial package worth around £440 billion for investments in dilapidated German infrastructure. This is what businesses and employee organisations are counting on - we read on the portal.
IG Metall chairwoman admitted that the politicians' step is a good signal, but emphasised that specific decisions regarding industry funds have not yet been made. – All political forces must now take responsibility to ensure that this project does not fail – Benner emphasised.
