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Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Following the example of other automakers, BMW has announced further cuts in production in response to weaker global demand. In addition to previous cutbacks in the number of temporary workers, the Bavarian automaker is putting thousands of employees in Germany on short-time working. Specifically, a total of approximately 26,000 employees will work short-time on certain days during the months of February and March (Dingolfing 15,000, Regensburg 8,000, Landshut 2,700, Berlin 190).
BMW said that the goal is to achieve the necessary cost reductions while at the same time securing jobs. Luckily for the German employees with tariff contracts, even working short-time, their net income will amount to at least 93% of regular levels. According to the Bavarian firm, in the event that the net compensation of such employees, inclusive of a short-time allowance, should fall below 93% of this level, the company will compensate them for the difference.
"Safeguarding jobs - even in difficult times - by using a broad range of flexibility instruments has always been one of our key strengths," said Harald Krüger, Human Resources Director of BMW AG, on Tuesday in Munich. "Our wide variety of work schedule models helps us to achieve that. In addition to these measures we are also using a sophisticated combination of flex-time accounts, proactive leave planning and temporary short-time working at specific plants. I am confident we will emerge from the current difficult situation stronger than before - not least as a result of these measures."
