Latest news with #DW
DW
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- DW
Cologne: Ford workers in Germany strike for first time – DW – 05/31/2025
The car manufacturer Ford is in crisis. More than 10,000 workers in Cologne officially went on strike this month for the first time in the plant's 100-year history. Recent changes mean thousands of jobs are at risk. Wednesday morning, May 14: Gate Four of the Ford plant in Cologne is sealed off with red-and-white barrier tape. On the turnstiles, a couple of sheets of paper announce "Strikebreakers enter through Gate 1." But hardly anyone does so. According to David Lüdtke, the IG-Metall union's employee representative at Ford, more than 10,000 of the 11,500 employees downed tools for those 24 hours. Thirty-year-old Ahmet Cözmez is a development engineer in Ford's production development department. "We're worried; we're tense and anxious," he told DW. His grandfather came to Germany in 1970 as a so-called "guest worker," traveling by train from Istanbul to Cologne, where he worked on the Ford assembly line. Cözmez' father was a production worker for the American car manufacturer; he was also a full-time member of the works council, and sat on the Ford supervisory board as an employee representative. "The Ford DNA is in us," says Cözmez. "Once Ford, always Ford" was the mantra of the older generation in his family: Start work at Ford, and you've a job for life. Now, though, the US company wants to cut 2,900 jobs at this factory in Cologne. Three generations of Ford workers in Cologne: Mustafa, Ahmet and Süleyman Cözmez Image: Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa/picture alliance Solidarity with Ford workers The one-day strike was the first official strike in the Cologne plant's history. There was a wildcat strike by employees from the Turkish community in 1973, but it wasn't organized by an established union. The Ford workforce were not the only ones out on strike that day. Members of the IG Metall metalworkers' union came from all over Germany to support them, as did workers from the mining and chemicals industries. The strikers even received expressions of solidarity from abroad. Ahmet Cözmez told DW that while many people were ready to fight for their jobs, there was a great deal of uncertainty. Ford shows signs of weakness Industry experts fear that the future for Ford in Europe is looking bleak. "The situation is bad, and the outlook is even worse," said the director of the Bochum Center for Automotive Research (CAR), Ferdinand Dudenhöffer. In his view, Ford is too small a player in the passenger vehicle sector to be profitable in Europe. Ford's European business has been loss-making for some time now. For years the compact Ford Fiesta passenger car, manufactured in Cologne, was a big commercial success, but production was discontinued in 2023 to make way for electric models. Ford now manufactures two electric cars in Cologne. However, sales of these have also been much lower than expected, and the company's investment of around €2 billion ($2.3 billion) in the production of the new electric cars has so far not paid off. The Cologne plant now manufactures electric vehicles, like the Ford Explorer, but sales have fallen short of expectations Image: ROBERTO PFEIL/AFP/Getty Images "German car manufacturers were late in switching to electromobility," says Anita Wölfl, a specialist at the ifo Center for the Economics of Innovation and Digital Transformation. "It seems Ford is struggling with it even more." Economic situation affects the automotive industry Ford clearly isn't the only oneunder pressure. Other car manufacturers, including Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, are also showing signs of weakness. The automotive sector has been particularly affected by the recent economic downturn. People still have to eat when money is tight — but they can do without buying a new car. Germany is currently in recession for the second year in a row. Wölfl told DW that the entire auto industry was noticing a degree of consumer reticence. Fear of international consequences The ripple effect of the Ford crisis in Cologne may also be felt abroad, and a weak German car industry could have consequences for many other sectors worldwide. "Added to this, there is the Trump effect. The US tariffs on cars and automobile parts are damaging the automobile industry," said Wölfl. "This industry is characterized by a complex, internationally integrated supply chain: "Even if a company is not directly affected, the tariffs could have indirect consequences." Fighting for security Despite the poor outlook for Ford, David Lüdtke from IG Metall says the union is still fighting for the future of the company, and to preserve jobs. Ford Cologne strike over job cuts To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Should they be unsuccessful, IG Metall wants to ensure that all employees receive fair compensation, as well as transfer measures, and a strong security net with insolvency protection. This recently became even more of a priority. Earlier this year, Ford USA announced a capital injection of billions of euros into its German business. But in doing so, it also terminated the so-called "letter of comfort" it issued in 2006, in which the US parent company guaranteed the financial obligations of its German subsidiary. IG Metall and the works council fear that the cancellation of the comfort letter means that, although back then they obtained a guarantee that there would be no layoffs before 2032, this assurance may now also be in jeopardy. Workers' union fights on In spite of all the uncertainties, the strike does seem to have had an effect. "Although we don't yet have a result, the negotiations have progressed since then, and have moved in our direction," says Lüdtke. Details have not yet been confirmed, but IG Metall Cologne said it had reached an agreement with the German management on the key points to be addressed in further talks. "Once they have coordinated with the corporate headquarters in the US, a decision will be taken on how we are to proceed: Whether we will continue to negotiate, or whether there will be further industrial action," said Lüdtke. This article has been translated from German.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Trump remittance tax to hit Africans hard
Representative AI image For Enoch Aikins, a political economist who focuses on Africa, the topic of sending money home to relatives is personal. "I can use myself as an example, as somebody that comes from a typical village with a lot of people or [with] a family that depends on me," he told DW. A researcher with the Institute of Security Studies now based in Pretoria, South Africa, Aikins grew up in the small town of Agona Kwanyako, about 70 kilometers (some 43 miles) from the Ghanaian capital, Accra. His job means he can provide a vital source of income for many in his family back home in Ghana, whether it be for his mother's medical bills or for his cousins' education. "Anytime there's a family problem, they call me and I have to quickly find a way to send money to them to solve an emergency crisis," he said. "Mostly it is household expenses, things like food, accommodation, school fees or to cover medical expenses." A global impact Aikins is one of many millions of Africans across the continent and around the world who send remittances, which are financial transfers to their home country or region. The importance of these financial transfers has come into sharp focus as a result of the recent tax bill from US President Donald Trump, passed on May 22 by the House of Representatives. The measure includes a 3.5% tax on remittances made by anyone who is not a US citizen or national. The original plan was for the tax to be 5% but it was lowered before the vote. The bill has led to fierce criticism across Latin America, where it is likely to severely hurt poor migrants from Mexico, Central and South America. Africans will also be significantly affected, according to Aikins. "We cannot tell them how to go about their fiscal business, but this is going to have a huge impact on African economies." World Bank data shows that remittance flows into Africa were more than $92 billion (€81 billion) in 2024, with the United States alone accounting for at least $12 billion in that year. According to World Bank, the US is also the largest origin country for all remittances in the world, accounting for more than $656 billion in 2023. Monica de Bolle, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington, DC, said, however, here is a lack of reliable data on remittances because so much is not sent via recorded transactions. "People have different arrangements for sending money back home," she told DW. "Sometimes it's as official as a family member comes and visits and then they get a wad of cash and they go back home with that. And those kinds of transactions are simply unaccounted for." N onetheless, whatever data is available, she argued, underlines the importance of the US as a source of remittances for Africa and much of the Americas. How important are remittances for Africa? Remittances are important across Africa for three key reasons. Firstly, they represent a major chunk of income for many of the continent's economies, many of which are among the world's poorest. Recent data suggests annual remittances now outweigh both aid and foreign direct investment (FDI) as income flows into the continent. Aikins said remittances are the "largest external financial flow into Africa" at the moment. "There are no bottlenecks or administrative issues that, for instance, if you are giving aid of about $100 million to an African country or an institution, more than half is gone on administration before it reaches people," he added. Then there's the fact that it's typically lower-income groups that are most reliant on remittances from relatives or friends working abroad. "It's extremely damaging," said Monica de Bolle. "A lot of the time, these flows are coming from low-income folks in the United States to their home countries and their families who are also not well off." Some African countries will be hit harder than others. While the continent's big economies, such as Egypt, Nigeria, and Morocco, account for the highest total level of remittances from abroad, some economies are especially dependent, according to Aikins. World Bank data shows that remittances received as a percentage of GDP is around 20% for Lesotho, Comoros, Somalia, Gambia, and Liberia. 'Taking money out of people's pockets' De Bolle is critical of the remittance levy and thinks migrants will find ways of avoiding the tax. "People who are sending money back home, if they were using official channels to do this, they're now going to try to use unofficial channels to do it because they will want to evade the tax." She points out that taxation of remittances is rare globally and thinks the policy is part of the Trump administration's campaign against illegal migration. "The effect will be squeezing the migrants, squeezing the people who are currently living in the United States, shutting off mechanisms by which not only they sustain themselves, but they sustain their family members," said Bolle. "Bottom line is that remittances are a pocketbook issue. You are taking money out of people's pockets." Aikins' remittances won't be taxed, as they are not coming from the US. Yet he can clearly imagine the real-life consequences for someone in a village like the one he grew up in who is dependent on a relative sending money from the US. When he gets a request for money, it's needed quickly, and he thinks migrants will turn increasingly to cryptocurrency and other off-grid methods to send the money where it needs to go. "The tax is going to have a tremendous effect on how people send money to their dependents back home."
DW
12 hours ago
- Politics
- DW
Children in Gaza live a life in constant fear – DW – 05/31/2025
Tania Krämer | Mohammed al Madhoun 05/31/2025 May 31, 2025 As the war between Israel and Hamas drags on, life has become an endless struggle for children in Gaza. DW meets Eyad and Maryam, who survive with their families in tents that provide no protection from Israeli airstrikes in Al-Katiba Square, Gaza City.
DW
a day ago
- Business
- DW
Trade war still hurts US ports despite tariff relief – DW – 05/30/2025
The US and China may have hit pause on their trade fight but that doesn't mean calm at America's ports. The Port of Long Beach, a key gateway for Chinese imports, is caught in the crosshairs of shifting tariff policy. The uncertainty is rippling through the supply chain. The Port of Long Beach, a critical gateway for Chinese goods, has been significantly impacted by fluctuating US tariff policies. Initially, importers rushed to beat rising tariffs, causing a surge in shipments from China. However, the imposition of 145% tariffs in April led to a sharp decline in cargo levels, which is still being felt. A temporary truce announced on May 12, reducing tariffs to 30% for the US and 10% for China, has sparked optimism and anticipation of another surge in shipments. Despite this, the logistics industry faces ongoing uncertainty, with concerns about maintaining workforce stability and operational predictability amidst fluctuating trade relations. This video summary was created by AI from the original DW script. It was edited by a journalist before publication.
DW
a day ago
- Politics
- DW
Presidential runoff in Poland: Why every vote matters – DW – 05/30/2025
Rafal Trzaskowski or Karol Nawrocki? To many Polish voters, the question isn't about who they want, but who they don't want to see in office. Eva says she's never skipped a Polish election. She's been living in Germany for 40 years, she has a German passport, and she still takes part in every election in Poland. She first came to Germany as a Polish refugee and still has family there. Between 2015 and 2023, when the right-wing nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party was in power, she saw herself as fighting for democracy and the rule of law in Poland. Some 2 million people with Polish roots live in Germany. At least 850,000 of them only have Polish citizenship. Anyone with a Polish passport is eligible to take part in Poland's elections, but only an estimated 80,000 Poles in Germany made use of this right in the first election round that took place two weeks ago. To make use of their voting right, Polish citizens living abroad need to register with the appropriate consulate, where they must show a valid Polish ID or passport. But many Polish migrants in Germany don't have one, and the long journey to the nearest election booth can be daunting. All told, there are 54 election circuits in Germany located in large cities such as Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Munich, or Dortmund. That means that many Poles wanting to cast their votes have to travel 200 kilometers (124 miles) or more. There are no absentee ballots. DW asks voters in Warsaw what they are hoping for To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video "To me, voting is a duty that I am happy to fulfill," Eva says. That's why she's joining 112,000 other Poles in Germany as they cast their votes in the upcoming presidential runoff, slated for June 1. By May 27, a quarter more had signed up for this round than had for the last. That's a new record. Karol Nawrocki trailing in Germany The results from the first presidential election indicate that Poles in Germany have different voting preferences than their fellow citizens in Poland. In both countries, voters favored the liberal, pro-European Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski. In Germany, this preference was higher, with 40% showing support, versus 31% in Poland. Meanwhile, the nationalist, conservative historian Karol Nawrocki made it to second place in Poland with 29.5% of the vote. In Germany, however, he came in third, behind the far-right firebrand Slawomir Mentzen, who won 18.8% of the vote. In Germany, Karol Nawrocki has less support than he does in Poland Image: Wojtek Radwanski/AFP/Getty Images Nawrocki only scored 14.5% of the vote in Germany — far below the 29.5% backing he received at home. Trzaskowski's victory, on the other hand, came as no surprise. Five years ago, he beat the national conservative and incumbent President Andrzej Duda with 70% of the German vote. In Poland, however, he lost the election. What's surprising is the fact that Mentzen made it to second place in Germany, and third place in Poland. Overall, right-wing candidates brought in good results in Germany. In total, 28% of voters in Germany backed either Mentzen or the far-right, antisemitic lawmaker Grzegorz Braun. In Poland, it was about 22%. Menzten is a member of the hard-right Confederation party. He is a member of the European Parliament, where he shares a faction with the so-called Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which Germany"s federal domestic intelligence suspects to be right-wing extremist. Braun recently lost his parliamentary immunity after he used a fire extinguisher to put out candles lit in the Polish parliament to mark the Jewish holiday Hanukkah, and attacked a woman who tried to stop him. Voters wary of the two-party system Damian — not his real name — is from northern Poland and has worked in construction in Germany for years. He says he voted for Braun because "he knows how to appreciate Polish history. He preserves Polish identity." "Liberals don't care about that," the worker continues. "They want so badly to present themselves as Europeans, that they are making us servile in Brussels." In order to stop this, he says he "definitely" needs to take part in the election. Piotr says he couldn't image not fulfilling his civic duty. The self-proclaimed devout Catholic has a well-paying job in Germany, where he's been living for nearly 40 years. His children, who were born in Germany, only take part in German elections. But Piotr casts his ballot in both German and Polish elections. Piotr backed a right-wing candidate, because, as he says, he's "not part of the system" Image: Martyna Masztalerz/DW "I voted for Mentzen," he says. "He's intelligent and understands economics quite well. And above all, he's got nothing to do with the current system." Agnieszka Lada-Knefal, a political scientist specializing in Polish relations, believes this wariness of "the system" has been a key factor in determining the way many Poles in Germany cast their votes. "You can't simply call the voters who back Braun or Mentzen 'anti-European' or 'antisemitic'," the expert contends. "Above all, they're against the system. They don't want Trzaskowski or Nawrocki, because those two both represent the two-party system that has been in place for years. The emigrated, because they felt disadvantaged in this system. And they don't want to return as long as it's still in place. They want someone new." 'Our AfD' Eva says that people voting for right-wing extremists "are just voting against something." "They live here in Germany, they see the AfD gaining votes, and think to themselves, 'Why shouldn't we vote for "our" AfD?'," Eva explains. She says she's on the other side of the fence. In the past years, she's backed Trzaskowski and the center-right Civic Platform, the party of incumbent Prime Minister Donald Tusk. But in this year's first round of the presidential election, she voted for the social-democratic New Left party, for its pro-women's rights platform. For her, as she puts it, "it was a matter of the heart." Many female voters see no alternative to backing Rafal Trzaskowski Image: Martyna Masztalerz/DW Eva knew her candidate didn't stand a chance to win the election. Instead, she says she wanted to use her voice to back issues and demands that many Polish women care about — and to send a signal to Trzaskowski. She's convinced the liberal candidate will win the runoff. That's the only way Prime Minister Tusk's current government coalition could push through reforms that President Duda is currently blocking. Eva is certain she know who to back in the runoff. And she's not the only one. Every vote counts In front of a Polish church in southern Berlin, we meet another woman, much like Eva, on her way to mass. "All my Polish girlfriends agree," she says. "Rafal Trzaskowski is the only option. Who else?" Religion doesn't play a role, she adds. "Most Poles in Germany are progressive, open-minded and pro-European," Lada-Konefal explains. "To people like this, Trzaskowski is the candidate who guarantees that Poland will also move in this direction." Opinion polls see both remaining candidates neck-and-neck in the runoff. Every single vote could tip the scale. To many Polish voters, no matter whether in Germany or elsewhere, the election on Sunday is not so much about who they want, but who they don't want to see in office. Like choosing between the "lesser of two evils." Rafal Trzakowski won the first presidential election round by a thin margin Image: Kacper Pempel/REUTERS Dana agrees. She fled to Germany after the LGBTQ+ community increasingly came under attack while the PiS party was in power. "In the first round, I voted for the candidate from the Left, because only the Left party takes people like us seriously and advocates for us," she says. "On Sunday, I'll be voting for Trzaskowski, because he's not as bad as Nawrocki." She chooses her next words carefully. "The election won't do any good for us queer people, anway," she says. But a president from the PiS party could spell disaster for her community, she adds. Piotr, who would have preferred to see his right-wing candidate Mentzen in office, agrees that the upcoming runoff is about selecting the least bad option. "As long as it's not Trzaskowski," he adds. "His views change too often One day, he's Catholic, and another he's supporting the LGBT-movement. One day he's waving a Polish flag, and the next, it's a European flag, or even a rainbow flag. I just don't get it," the Polish voter explains. "Nawrocki is getting my vote." This article was translated from German.
