Tesla Under Fire In Germany Over Union Concerns On Working Hours
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Tesla has come under fire from German union IG Metall and politicians over allegations by workers of unreasonable working hours and fears over speaking out at its Brandenburg plant, with some calling for inquiries into the carmaker.
At its annual news conference, IG Metall, which has an office near the plant and says it is in regular contact with workers, said a growing number reported longer working hours with little free time.
Workers were also increasingly fearful about discussing their working conditions openly because of non-disclosure agreements they were told to sign along with their work contracts, IG Metall said.
A new role advertised on Tesla’s career website for a “Security Intelligence Investigator”, who will partner with legal and human resources departments to carry out “collection of on-the-ground information both within and beyond Tesla walls in order to protect the company from threats”, exacerbated these concerns.
“Workers started at Tesla with great enthusiasm for the project. Over time we are observing that this enthusiasm is withering,” Irene Schulz of IG Metall Berlin-Brandenburg-Sachsen said in a statement.
“Tesla is not doing enough to improve working conditions and is leaving too little time for leisure, family and recovery.”
Tesla was not immediately available for comment.
Tesla China has also asked some staff to sign non-disclosure agreements, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter. Reuters found several people on LinkedIn with the title of “Security Intelligence Investigator” working for Tesla in Austin, San Francisco and Shanghai.
Local politicians from the centre-left SPD to the centre-right CDU expressed concern about the allegations, calling for inquiries both by Tesla and the local government.
“The state government of Brandenburg must enforce occupational safety through close controls at Tesla,” Christian Baeumler of the Christian Democrats (CDU) said.
The Brandenburg government was not immediately available for comment.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which organisations have raised concerns about working conditions at Tesla's Brandenburg plant?
Which organisations have raised concerns about working conditions at Tesla's Brandenburg plant?
German union IG Metall and local politicians from both the centre-left SPD and the centre-right CDU have voiced concerns. They cite allegations of unreasonable working hours and workers' fears about discussing their conditions openly.
Q.What role has Tesla advertised that has heightened worries among workers?
What role has Tesla advertised that has heightened worries among workers?
Tesla has advertised a 'Security Intelligence Investigator' role. This position aims to gather 'on-the-ground information' to protect the company from threats, leading to increased concerns among employees about speaking out.
Q.Why are workers reportedly hesitant to discuss their employment conditions openly?
Why are workers reportedly hesitant to discuss their employment conditions openly?
Workers are increasingly fearful because they were told to sign non-disclosure agreements as part of their employment contracts. This suggests a climate where employees feel restricted from openly discussing their working conditions.
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