German workers rally for jobs and innovation investments
Over 81,000 industry workers took to the streets of German cities over the weekend, demanding greater investment and job protection. Demonstrations organized by IG Metall represent 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 occurred in Hanover, Stuttgart, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Leipzig.
The demonstrators expressed concern about the future of German industry and their jobs. IG Metall demands that politicians and company boards actively modernize and develop key sectors, primarily through investments in innovation and future technologies.
Without industry, Germany is a poor country, and we will not allow that to happen – declared IG Metall chairwoman Christiane Benner.
The government plans to stimulate the economy
The union accuses companies of reducing employment, moving production abroad, and failing to take action to develop modern solutions domestically.
The protests coincided with an agreement by the new CDU-SPD coalition, which plans to relax the so-called debt brake and increase funds to stimulate the economy and finance defense.
The new Bundestag is expected to adopt a financial package worth 537 billion dollars for investments in dilapidated German infrastructure. This is what businesses and employee organizations are counting on, as reported on the portal.
The IG Metall chairwoman admitted that the politicians' step is a positive signal but emphasized that specific decisions regarding industry funds have not yet been made. Benner stressed that all political forces must now take responsibility for ensuring that this project does not fail.
