Vijesti iz poslovnog svijeta: Udruženje Gesamtmetall upozorava da su ugrožena još 300.000 radnih mjesta

The employers' association Gesamtmetall warned on Wednesday that up to 300,000 jobs in Germany's metal and electrical industry face elimination within the next two to three years. Oliver Zander, the head of the association, stated in an interview with the Bild newspaper that current underutilization rates threaten these positions. He noted that employment levels would drop to 3.4 million workers, marking the lowest point since German reunification in 1990. This warning comes amid an ongoing labor dispute with the trade union IG Metall over wage increases. Zander explained that deindustrialization has already cost the sector 350,000 jobs since 2019. Currently, approximately 3.7 million people work in the industry. If the predicted losses occur, the workforce will shrink significantly. The association chief cited several factors for this trend, including cheaper competition from China, high labor and energy costs, excessive bureaucracy, and United States tariffs. These pressures have created a difficult environment for manufacturers who struggle to maintain profitability. The warning coincides with escalating tensions in collective bargaining negotiations. IG Metall has called for a five percent wage increase over a twelve-month period, along with guarantees for job security and production sites. The union launched warning strikes early Sunday morning, involving numerous employees across the industrial sector. Members of the workforce participated in walkouts to pressure employers during the second round of talks. Employers presented their counter-offer during the second negotiation round. Their proposal includes a one-time payment equal to one percent of the average annual gross salary. Additionally, they suggested a staged monthly wage increase of 1.3 percent starting in July 2028. The agreement would run for twenty-six months. Union representatives rejected this offer strictly, arguing that it does not account for inflation. They view the proposed figures as insufficient given the current economic conditions. Zander criticized the union's demands as irresponsible. He described the situation in the industry as catastrophic, noting that many companies are fighting for survival. According to Zander, there is no visible prospect for improvement in the near future. He argued that pushing for higher wages while the sector faces structural challenges could endanger even more jobs. The association believes that the current level of wage demands exacerbates the financial strain on businesses. The labor conflict occurs against a backdrop of broader economic difficulties for German manufacturers. Automotive giant BMW recently lowered its earnings forecast for the 2026 fiscal year. The company adjusted its expected operating margin in the automotive segment to range between negative 0.5 percent and positive 0.5 percent. Previously, BMW had projected a margin between one and three percent. The automaker attributed the change to decisions to expand and intensify portfolio and structural measures. These steps include accelerating the streamlining of management functions. BMW plans to present its third-quarter report on Wednesday. Challenges for German carmakers extend beyond individual corporate strategies. Strong competition from Chinese rivals continues to impact market share. High tariffs imposed by the United States further complicate export operations. Additionally, electric vehicles generate lower profit margins compared to traditional combustion engine cars. These factors contribute to the overall pressure on the manufacturing sector. Separate developments in other industries highlight shifting strategic alliances. Lufthansa signed an agreement to acquire a minority stake in Portuguese carrier TAP Air Portugal. The purchase price for an initial 44.9 percent shareholding stands at 1.025 billion euros. Up to five percent of the shares are reserved for TAP employees initially, though these could transfer to Lufthansa later. If that happens, the total price would rise to 1.2 billion euros. The Portuguese state retains majority control with just over 50 percent. Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr described the deal as a signal for the joint future of both airlines. He noted that their networks complement each other well, opening growth perspectives particularly in South America and Brazil. Lufthansa secured this investment after competing against French-Dutch rival Air France-KLM. The transaction still requires approval from antitrust authorities. Italian luxury carmaker Ferrari reported strong performance for the first nine months of the year. The company nearly achieved its full-year business goals in that period. Third-quarter pre-tax profits rose 12 percent to 563 million euros compared to the same period last year. Revenue increased by seven percent to 1.9 billion euros. The manufacturer based in Maranello benefited from favorable market conditions during this timeframe. Despite these varied corporate updates, the core focus remains on the metal and electrical sector. The standoff between Gesamtmetall and IG Metall shows no immediate signs of resolution. Workers continue to participate in warning strikes, while employers maintain their position regarding wage limits. The potential loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs looms large in discussions about the future of German industrial capacity. Both sides await further developments in the negotiation process.