10,000-plus Bosch jobs at risk in Germany
Who?
What’s Happening?
According to Reuters, Bosch could see between 8,000 and 10,000 jobs at risk in Germany.
The Broader Story.
Frank Sell, the company's deputy supervisory board chairman, who also leads the works council of Bosch's Mobility Solutions division spoke on Wednesday about recent staff reduction schemes. He described the current atmosphere within the group as "absolutely unbearable." The company currently employs approximately 135,000 staff in Germany.
The job cuts come amid challenging conditions for Europe's automotive industry. Carmakers are grappling with weakening demand and a slower-than-expected transition to electric vehicles. German manufacturers are particularly pressured by high operational costs and increasing competition from cheaper Chinese rivals.
When asked about potential industrial action, Sell indicated that labor representatives and unions would develop an action plan for 2025 that could potentially include strikes, similar to recent protests at Volkswagen.
Stefan Grosch, Bosch's management board member responsible for human resources, defended the proposed cuts. He emphasized that these reductions are necessary to maintain the company's competitiveness, noting that the entire automotive industry is experiencing significant challenges.
Grosch confirmed that Bosch's supervisory board would meet on Friday to discuss the matter. While acknowledging the need for job reductions, he stressed the company's commitment to handling the cuts in a "socially responsible" manner. He also highlighted that the rapid changes in the automotive sector necessitate ongoing capacity reviews.
In Summation.
Bosch’s announcement underscores the transformative and challenging period facing traditional automotive suppliers as they navigate the complex shift towards electric and more technologically advanced vehicles.
