The announcement by automotive supplier Bosch regarding the planned reduction of 13,000 jobs has prompted calls for increased governmental support for the industry’s ongoing transformation. Ines Schwerdtner, leader of the Left Party, addressed the situation in a statement to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, highlighting the impact on employees facing uncertainty about their futures.
Schwerdtner criticized the management’s apparent failure to adequately prepare for the shift underway in the automotive sector. She underscored the responsibility of both the federal and Baden-Württemberg state governments to provide assistance and prevent job losses. Collaboration with trade unions is deemed crucial to safeguarding existing positions.
A proposed solution involves establishing a dedicated transformation fund for the automotive industry, contingent upon specific conditions. Funding disbursements, according to Schwerdtner, should be directly linked to commitments made by companies, including guarantees for employment and the securement of their production locations. The aim is to ensure that industry evolution is managed responsibly, mitigating negative impacts on the workforce.