February Unemployment At A Record Low - Politicians Angry Over Dismissal Wave

Despite good news on the unemployment figures: In Germany there is a new debate on mass layoffs. Siemens, BMW, Henkel - across all sectors, jobs are deleted, although the companies profits. The SPD will now stock options by managers zusammenzustreichen.

Berlin - Mild winter, stable economy: In February, unemployment fell to 8.6 percent. Overall, were still little more than
3.6 million people without jobs. A
greater decline in February, the federal agency last year
1992 recorded. Usually rising unemployment in this
Winter month.

The figures from the labour market are good - and still threatens Germany dismissal now a new debate.

BMW
will
8100 staff redundant. Henkel

3000 will remove bodies. And that, although the two companies gushing profits. Siemens
deletes worldwide
at least 3800. Politicians advised given the current wave of dismissals in increasingly Rage - and in zugzwang.

The SPD already prescht measures to how the demolition job at Germany's enterprises can reduce the pay of managers with stock options should be limited, calls Rainer Wend, the economic spokesman of the SPD. In addition, should be given to the speculation period for equities, and to extend voting rights for shareholders in the period to forge.

"We need incentives to reduce short-term speculation," said Wend the "Berliner Zeitung". It is a problem that business has more übergingen, only at the next shareholders' meeting to orientate, rather than the medium and long term up.
Unions Group Vice-Michael Champion (CDU) said the "Berliner Zeitung", it is not understandable that the companies have complained shortage of skilled workers, but employees entließen. Long-term thinking if suitably qualified staff. The companies would have their communication strategy. "There is no place where both profits and announced layoffs," said Masters.

ssu / ddp / Reuters

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