The Polish government’s decision to reinstate border controls at the Germany border, effective Monday, has sparked concern within the business community. Helena Melnikov, Managing Director of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), voiced anxieties in an interview with Handelsblatt, stating that the organization is receiving “troubling reports” from businesses and local chambers.
The primary concern centers on the potential disruption to cross-border commuters. Melnikov emphasized that if these individuals are unable to reliably and punctually reach their workplaces, there’s a risk they may seek employment elsewhere, exacerbating existing skills shortages in regions like Brandenburg.
Melnikov proposed pragmatic agreements between neighboring countries to mitigate these disruptions. Options such as pass systems for commuters or designated lanes for essential deliveries could be implemented to balance security concerns with economic efficiency. She underscored the importance of maintaining mobility for cross-border commuters, service providers and customers – impacting sectors including regional retail, border-adjacent hospitality, healthcare and large industrial enterprises. Companies, she stressed, require predictability and freedom of movement, not additional barriers.
Dirk Jandura, President of the Association of Wholesale and Foreign Trade (BGA), echoed these concerns. He warned that erecting barriers does not resolve issues; instead, it generates new challenges for supply chains, employees and overall economic cohesion in Europe, cautioning against a return to a fragmented continent of closed borders. While acknowledging the necessity of heightened security measures when warranted, Jandura cautioned that border controls should not be used as a political instrument.