Energy Crisis Triggers Slight Increase in Short-Time Work in German Manufacturing
For the first time since January, the number of short-time workers in Germany is increasing. Between August and November, it rose from 76,000 to 187,000, according to an ifo Institute estimate. These figures are based on ifo surveys as well as on data from the German Federal Employment Agency. The rise was most evident in manufacturing, where the number of short-time workers increased from 59,000 to 151,000.
“Energy-intensive industries and the automotive sector in particular are implementing more short-time work. This is consistent with recent sluggish production in these industries,” says ifo Institute researcher Sebastian Link.
In the automotive industry, the number of short-time workers climbed from 14,100 to 33,400; it rose from 7,400 to 21,200 in the chemical industry. “Compared to previous winters during the pandemic, the level of short-time work is still very low,” Link says. In November 2021, a total of 750,000 people were on short-time work.
