Industrie: Unternehmer Stihl mahnt: „Können uns eine 35-Stunden-Woche nicht mehr leisten“

Nikolas Stihl, the entrepreneur behind Forst- und Gartengerätehersteller Stihl, is urging urgent talks between the two sides over extending working hours without a salary increase in Germany's metal and electrical industries. In Waiblingen, he told Deutsche Presse-Agentur, "In the good times, Germany could afford a 35-hour week.

Now we can't. And the social partners should be conscious of their responsibility and discuss the issue." He specifically mentions the IG Metall, as they ultimately need to make concessions, but added that "when there are already 500,000 lost industrial jobs on the way, they should really do everything to stop the bleeding." Stihl further stated that extending working hours without a salary increase would quickly reduce labor costs.

In light of the economic crisis, a fundamental debate is emerging. Martin Brudermüller, the Aufsichtsratschef of Mercedes-Benz, suggested returning to the 40-hour week in June, suggesting that even office workers should work longer hours due to increasing life expectancy. Stihl noted in a recent interview, "In these difficult times, it is absolutely justifiable to work longer."

The IG Metall had called for protests at the automaker regarding the initiative by the Mercedes-Benz supervisory board. Tariff negotiations in the metal and electrical industries are set to begin in the autumn. "The 35-hour week was once agreed upon with intense labor pains. And if we want to go back to it, the pain of loss will be very great," Stihl said.

This is clearly understood. "That's why I don't think there will be a simple tariff round here." Stihl advocates for pragmatic solutions to the issue, believing that the closer the IG Metall representatives get to the working population, the more they will understand the situation. He has concerns about the central office in Frankfurt, stating that "there appear to be very entrenched positions there, strongly influenced by ideological convictions."