Germany: ‘Auto Summit’ to prepare support and tools aimed at training and maintaining employment

On 15 January the Federal Chancellery hosted a summit meeting that focused on safeguarding employment in Germany’s auto industry. All the relevant actors in the sector attended the meeting and although no statement was issued when it concluded, the intention had been to be a preparatory session ahead of the implementation of a number of measures including some already being discussed and other totally new ideas, all of which aim to facilitate both the sector’s transition towards electric vehicle production and reskill thousands of workers. Among the measures being put forward are extending  the length of partial unemployment, lowering employers’ social charges for partial unemployment situations, providing greater training opportunities that until now had been subsidized as part of the digital economy framework, and creating a new corporation status called the ‘Transformation Company’.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

United in seeking to jointly defend jobs in Germany’s primary industry. Berlin’s policy towards electrical energy continues to drive the country’s auto sector towards electric vehicle use and production. After a ‘Summit’ meeting in November 2019 on electricity supply infrastructures and support for the purchase of electric vehicles, the Federal Chancellery invited the sector’s actors to another Summit meeting on 15 January that focused on the dual issue of protecting auto sector jobs and worker

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
France: sectors feel economic slowdown to differing degrees
The latest data on France’s occupational sectors (branches professionnelles), covering the year 2023, show how employment trends are shaping workplace dynamics. After a more favourable period for...
United Kingdom: Parliament finally passes Employment Rights Bill
The UK Labour government's flagship reform of employment rights was passed by both houses on 16 December after a turbulent parliamentary process. The bill introduces numerous changes to labour...
18 December 2025
EU: social partners in telecoms sign joint statement on AI
On 16 December, the social partners in Europe's telecommunications sector unveiled a joint statement on artificial intelligence. They propose an action plan for skills and commit to raising...
18 December 2025
EU: MEPs demand directive on algorithmic management
Members of the European Parliament have called for a directive on algorithmic management. Such legislation would introduce obligations for companies to inform employees, assess health and safety...
17 December 2025
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
Pascale Rauline (Axa EWC): “European charter formalises ongoing and accelerated social dialogue on AI”
On 27 November, Axa and its European works council (EWC) signed a charter setting out principles governing the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and guaranteeing social dialogue on the...
2
Germany: crisis-hit industries cast shadow over 2026 bargaining cycle
In 2026, collective wage agreements for nearly 10 million employees in Germany are set to expire. With upcoming negotiations in crisis-hit 'pilot' sectors such as chemicals and metalworking, the...
2 December 2025
3
Bulgaria: government approves bill to encourage sector-level collective bargaining
On 26 November, the Bulgarian government approved amendments to the labour code designed to reinforce the legal framework for sector-level collective bargaining. The reform aims to stimulate...
2 December 2025
4
EU: social partners in telecoms sign joint statement on AI
On 16 December, the social partners in Europe's telecommunications sector unveiled a joint statement on artificial intelligence. They propose an action plan for skills and commit to raising...
18 December 2025
5
Inditex European works council mobilises on value sharing
In a joint statement, 10 trade unions comprising the European works council of the Inditex clothing group are calling for rallies in Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, France, Italy and Germany...
6
Germany: Erwin Hymer Group’s innovative and award-winning AI agreement
Fed up with negotiating separate agreements for each new artificial intelligence (AI) tool, the social partners at Erwin Hymer Group (8,900 employees) have instead secured a broad, overarching...
12 December 2025