Volkswagen Announces Short-term Layoffs in Germany

Jan. 20, 2009

Company will idle about two thirds of its 92,000 German workforce for one week next month

Europe's leading auto maker Volkswagen said on Jan. 20 it would idle about two thirds of its 92,000 German workforce for one week next month as it cuts production amid an economic slump.

"This reduction in production will allow us to adapt our capacity to the level of demand," Volkswagen personnel chief Jochen Schumm said.

Another German car giant, BMW, said recently that 26,000 workers would be subject to temporary lay-offs for two months from February 1 as the worst economic slump in decades cuts demand.

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