Amid the ongoing crisis in the metal and electrical industry, Christiane Benner, the leader of IG Metall, is urging companies to significantly increase their production within Germany and the European Union to create sustainable jobs. Speaking to the newspaper “Bild” she stated that “who sells in Europe and Germany must also produce here. This is local value creation. Who else is supposed to buy cars in Germany over the long term?”
Benner expressed deep concern over the steady decline of jobs in Germany. She noted, “We are observing with worry that we are experiencing significant losses-especially in the research and development sectors”. She highlighted that high-tech jobs that are being lost in Germany are instead being expanded in countries like China, and she voiced apprehension that companies view innovation as merely a cost center, leading them to abandon domestic development.
Furthermore, she called upon the federal government to establish significantly better frameworks for the industrial sector. While acknowledging that subsidy programs for the purchase of electric vehicles with social scaling are correct, Benner pointed out critical gaps. These deficiencies include the need for improved charging infrastructure, access to affordable electricity, and greater support for domestic battery production. According to the IG Metall chairwoman, she concluded that if “there is a planned approach with good overarching conditions, it is entirely possible to truly develop and keep the industry competitive”.
