Germany’s metalworkers want substantial pay rise 


The leadership of IG Metall, Germany’s biggest union, has presented its key pay demands for next year’s settlement for the 3.5 million people working in the metalworking industry. It is calling for a 6% pay increase over 12 months together with an individual right for each employee to cut their working time from the current 35 hours a week to 28.


Inflation in Germany is currently 1.8% (September) and the union argues that an increase well above this figure is needed so that workers can also benefit from the strong growth in the metalworking industry. The demands will now be discussed by the end of December.