The number of working time lost to attacks in Germany doubled in 2023 compared with the past month to more than 1.5 million, with a history 312 industrial disputes, a investigation showed on Thursday.
According to the investigation by the Institute of Economic and Social Sciences ( WSI), which has tracked the number of commercial disputes since 2006, higher prices and the subsequent loss of purchasing power were the main drivers.
The study demonstrates how a cost-of-living problems and an inflation spike following the epidemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine sparked a wave of industrial activity in Europe’s largest market and tested its prized unit for employee relations.
The WSI noted that” 2024 is also likely to be a time of intense industrial disputes,” adding that the number may change depending on the outcome of coalition negotiations in the metallic and electronic industries in the fall.
The 1.52 million working days lost last year was the highest since 2015 and an increase of 126 % on 2022 rates.
Railways, local transportation, flights, and the Lufthansa flight were all affected by a year-long strike that came about as a result of farmers ‘ protests and a budget problems that put Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s administration on the back legs.
But, the WSI said the common belief of Germany as a strike- sensitive nation was primarily because many strikes, such as those that brought 11 European airports to a standstill in February, disrupted people’s everyday lives.
According to WSI, Belgium has seen the most time lost per 1, 000 people due to technological activity with an average of 103 times between 2013 and 2022, followed by France and Finland with 92 and 90 days both.
According to the study, Germany ranks eighth, behind Britain, but ahead of nations like Switzerland and Sweden, where there is almost no industrial action.
