Germany: the headache of corporate initiatives against the far right

In the highly regulated world of Germany's social market economy, companies have generally avoided taking political positions externally and, even more so, internally. But the strong rise of the far-right, whose agenda is seen as dangerous to the national economy, is prompting more and more companies and trade unions to take a stand with their employees, through a variety of concrete actions.

As Ulrich Reuter, president of the German Savings Banks Association (DSGV), explained at the end of January: “We depend on international cooperation, including targeted immigration, for our economy. And it is clear that foreign top researchers, foreign skilled workers and foreign nursing staff will not come to Germany if they fear rejection or even deportation in the future.” Currently, 1.7 million jobs remain unfilled due to a lack of applicants. Moreover, by 2035, almost 7 million baby boomers will have retired. The Federal Employment Agency estimates that at least 400,000 immigrants will be needed each year to stabilise the job market.

Corporate social responsibility
Digital tools
HR practices
Industrial relations
Unclassified

Political programme considered dangerous

Reuter’s criticism of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party is not confined to the party’s protectionist stance,…

Thomas Schnee

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