In Germany, Mercedes-Benz workers were outraged by the offer to work for free

Mercedes-Benz in Germany is considering switching from a 35-hour to a 40-hour work week without additional pay, Carscoops reports.

This change, according to the publication, will lead to an increase in the annual workload of approximately 260 hours per employee without appropriate compensation.

At the same time, the company decided to suspend the payment of the bonus, which was part of the collective agreement and amounted to 18% of the monthly salary. Initially, the bonus was supposed to be paid in July, but it was postponed to next year. This decision affects about 90 thousand workers and was made without prior agreement with the trade union.

Works council chairman Ergün Lümali, reflecting the workers’ sentiment, criticized management’s plans, saying it was “an unconvincing concept for the future.” He rejected the idea that competitiveness could be improved by extending unpaid hours and stressed that the company needed innovation, attractive products and skilled workers.

Mercedes’ financial difficulties are linked to tariffs, declining demand for electric vehicles and problems in the Chinese market. In 2025, adjusted profits at Mercedes-Benz Cars fell from 8.7 billion euros to 4.8 billion euros, while overall group profits fell from 13.7 billion euros to 8.2 billion euros.

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