Mercedes plans to reduce the number of temporary workers in Germany and cut costs by 800 million euros a year. About 3,000 self-employed workers at factories in Sindelfingen, Bremen and Rauchstadt were at risk. At the same time, the car manufacturer does not yet plan to reduce its workforce. To reduce costs, management suggests increasing working hours without additional pay, as well as reviewing the payment of Christmas and holiday bonuses and profit benefits. Representatives of the workers' council and the trade union IG Metall oppose these measures, but management expects to increase profitability by almost 1 percent through austerity and natural retirement of 20% of employees.

Mercedes plans to reduce the number of temporary workers in Germany and cut costs by 800 million euros a year. About 3,000 self-employed workers at factories in Sindelfingen, Bremen and Rauchstadt were at risk. At the same time, the car manufacturer does not yet plan to reduce its workforce. To reduce costs, management suggests increasing working hours without additional pay, as well as reviewing the payment of Christmas and holiday bonuses and profit benefits. Representatives of the workers' council and the trade union IG Metall oppose these measures, but management expects to increase profitability by almost 1 percent through austerity and natural retirement of 20% of employees.