Job cuts in Papenburg - Economics Minister sees opportunity in agreement at Meyer Werft
Lower Saxony's Economy Minister Olaf Lies sees the agreement at the crisis-ridden Papenburg Meyer Werft as an opportunity for a new start for the company. "This agreement is an important sign that all parties here are working together to find a solution for the current challenges. This is the chance for a new unity," said the SPD politician according to a press release.
The agreement between the works council, the trade union, and management is also a prerequisite for the further process, said Lies. This process includes a workforce reduction, as well as the relocation of the company headquarters from Luxembourg back to Germany, and the establishment of a supervisory board. From the perspective of the state government, this is a necessary prerequisite for state aid. Lies called this decision "a signal for a transparent and co-determined new start for the yard."
The opposition leader in the state parliament, CDU fraction leader Sebastian Lechner, welcomed the agreement in a press release. "With this agreement, an important first step has been taken for the preservation of the Meyer Werft and thus for shipbuilding in Germany as a whole." The announcement of the yard to establish a supervisory board is seen by the CDU as consistent, "to ensure constructive cooperation between employees and management permanently." It is important, however, that the federal government now actively participates in the rescue of the yard.
Bundestag deputy Victor Perli of The Left expressed concern about the jobs and wants them to be saved. "In return for public support for the Meyer Werft, the federal government must demand clear guarantees," said Perli, who is also a member of the budget committee.
The CDU in Lower Saxony supports the agreement, with fraction leader Sebastian Lechner stating, "This agreement is a crucial step towards safeguarding the Meyer Werft and shipbuilding in Germany." The company's decision to establish a supervisory board is viewed by the CDU as essential for maintaining constructive employee-management relations.
The agreement between the works council, trade union, and management includes planned job cuts at the Shipyard in Papenburg, as mentioned by Economy Minister Olaf Lies. He added that the relocation of Meyer Werft GmbH's headquarters from Luxembourg back to Germany is also part of the agreement.
The SPD politician Lies also highlighted the importance of this agreement for the entire shipping industry in Germany, emphasizing that it signifies a new era of transparent and co-determined operations at Meyer Werft GmbH.
This agreement in Papenburg is seen as a potential opportunity for a fresh start by Lies, who believes that with state aid and employee cooperation, the company can overcome its current challenges.
Furthermore, despite the job cuts, Bundestag deputy Victor Perli from The Left is advocating for the preservation of jobs and is demanding clear guarantees from the federal government in return for supporting the Meyer Werft.
In response to the agreement, Meyer Werft GmbH is expected to undergo significant changes, including a shift in its management structure and a renewed focus on shipbuilding in Germany, as per the collective agreement.
