7 Oct 2026
Union cites energy costs, trade conflicts and competitive pressures on manufacturing
Hannover, Germany – Germany is currently losing around 15,000 industrial jobs each month amid mounting pressure on its manufacturing sector, according to industrial union IGBCE.
Speaking during a nationwide trade-union action day on 26 Sept, IGBCE chairman Michael Vassiliadis cited high energy costs, international trade conflicts, geopolitical uncertainty and increasing competitive pressure among the challenges facing German industry.
“We want reforms for a strong economy. We want reforms for secure jobs,” said Vassiliadis, adding: “In industry alone, we are currently losing 15,000 good, collectively bargained jobs every month.”
The union said improving competitiveness required greater productivity, innovation and investment, and called for policies that encourage investment and strengthen Germany's industrial base.
The comments came as ‘thousands of workers’ participated in demonstrations across 15 German cities organised by the DGB trade-union federation.
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