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short-time work? "It's just a matter of days"

Industry in Germany is increasingly shutting down machines and systems due to the energy crisis.

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short-time work? "It's just a matter of days"

Industry in Germany is increasingly shutting down machines and systems due to the energy crisis. "Within large groups, systems have already been switched off," said Michael Vassiliadis, chairman of the IG BCE industrial union, in front of the Dusseldorf Business Journalists' Association (WPV). Officially, a revision is being made – but it is now deliberately up-to-date.

According to Vassiliadis, energy-intensive industries such as paper, glass, chemicals and cement are particularly affected. It is often no longer worthwhile for companies to keep certain systems and units running in view of the high prices for gas, electricity and heat.

"The pressure is increasing," reports the union boss. Many companies would already rely on short-time work. And that will be more. "It's only a matter of days." However, Vassiliadis does not see any significant employment effects - and so far he does not expect that either. "Companies will do everything to keep their employees."

Because it's not about rationalization. "And the companies have of course seen what Lufthansa and others have experienced when they are too quick to downsize."

According to Vassiliadis, however, the upheavals on the energy markets should not last too long. “We are currently polishing the facilities. But does that last forever? no If this goes on for months, it will certainly become a problem.” Also for the other links in the value chain. "There is a risk that we will very, very quickly have demolitions here," predicts the employee representative.

This is also shown by a current survey by the Federal Chemical Employers' Association (BAVC), in which 400 companies with a total of 230,000 employees took part. According to this, every second company in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, which is the largest gas consumer in Germany with a share of 15 percent, is concerned about the exploding energy costs.

Every fifth company sees itself on the verge of collapse if the prices for electricity and gas do not fall again, above all from medium-sized companies. If prices continue to rise, 40 percent of companies see themselves in existential difficulties.

Vassiliadis therefore urgently calls for help for the industry. “A gas price reduction due to the recession is not my recommendation, but it can come. That's why we have to come up with something.” Recruiting new gas suppliers is particularly important here.

"Without new gas sources, there will be massive damage to German industry," warns Vassiliadis. That's why it's right to talk to countries like Qatar or even Norway. In addition, the trade unionist, who as head of the so-called gas-heating expert commission is deeply involved in the subject, also advises gas supply inquiries in the Netherlands and especially in the USA, which can offer fracking gas.

"We won't get through without the Americans," believes Vassiliadis, according to which reconsideration and pragmatism are now required. “The sourcing question is extremely important and the best place to lower prices. If we can't solve the sourcing question or save more, then we have to subsidize it for a period X. But the sums involved are not trivial.” The expert speaks of a three-digit billion amount.

“Citizens are entitled to no random profits at all,” says Bodo Ramelow. "It can't be that 60 cents per liter is just a special profit driven by speculation," said Thuringia's Prime Minister. "This is where state intervention is finally needed."

Source: WORLD / Nele Würzbach

The IG BCE therefore also sees the need to change electricity production in Germany in the short term - away from gas-fired power plants and towards coal and/or nuclear energy. "The question will soon be: Have we done everything we can to eliminate unnecessary gas generation," says Vassiliadis.

It would certainly be easier to launch additional lignite excavators. "And the coal capacities that we can activate are significant," says the trade unionist. In the current situation, even the hard coal mines in Germany are competitive again. From Vassiliadis' point of view, a resumption of funding is neither possible nor sensible.

On the other hand, the continued operation of the remaining nuclear power plants is quite possible. And Vassiliadis, who has headed the second-largest industrial union in Germany since 2009, believes this is necessary for security of supply in Bavaria.

"Because they don't have anything there: no lines, no wind turbines, that's a huge oversight." "In the end, it's all about the question: Do you want more CO2 or more atom?"

In the end, it is important that no companies die, emphasizes Vassiliadis. So that the federal government can handle the necessary investments and aid packages, he believes that the debt brake must also be discussed.

While Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) wants to stick to it, Vassiliadis sees other priorities. "You have to discuss the issue of debt brakes carefully, I think we have to get to it the way it is." But that doesn't have to be decided in the next 24 hours.

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