Crisis at BASF: Threatened around 1,800 jobs in Ludwigshafen!

Crisis at BASF: Threatened around 1,800 jobs in Ludwigshafen!

Ludwigshafen-The future of the chemistry giant BASF is on the brink. In view of the impending decommissioning and extensive job cuts, the employees are very unsettled. On Tuesday, October 8th, a decisive meeting between the BASF boss Dr. Markus Kamieth and Prime Minister Alexander Schweitzer, in which the most urgent topics are in the foreground: the current crisis of the company and the drastic measures that have already been taken.

In this round, Dr. Katja Scharpwinkel, the work director and site manager of the main plant in Ludwigshafen, will be present. The conversations are of great importance, since according to current reports, BASF plans to shut down further production facilities. Minister of Economic Affairs Daniela Schmitt has already assured the state government to avert the crisis.

corporate conversion and reactions

The new management team around Markus Kamieth receives mixed reactions to the recently announced corporate strategy. Critics, including the works council and the IG BCE trade union, accuse the company management that the focus is primarily on cost reductions, while important concepts for securing future fail. Employees feel threatened by the constant changes and austerity measures in their existence. "It is a time of great uncertainty for them," explains Sinisha Horvat, the works council chairman.

A central concern of the works council is to extend the existing agreement to exclude operational terminations by the end of 2025. Horvat calls for an expansion to 2030 to give employees more security. The willingness to cooperate between the company management and the works council is considered necessary to cope with the challenges.

The unions express that employees not only fear for their personal future, but also for the entire region. "The BASF provides jobs and prosperity in Germany," says Roland Strasser, head of the IG BCE state district Rhineland-Palatinate/Saarland, which demands a clear plan for the future of the company.

future prospects and job cuts

BASF is in front of massive cuts. The implementation of a narrower and stronger business model is already part of the company vision. Nevertheless, location manager Katja Scharpwinkel said that unattended plant units in the markets would remain competitive. However, clarity can also be determined: some production lines in Ludwigshafen could no longer be profitable and are therefore endangered.

The outsourcing of the agricultural division and its possible stock exchange introduction by 2027 show that the company has set a clear course for long -term profit. The operational profit should increase to between ten and twelve billion euros by 2028 - an ambitious goal that is to be achieved through massive cost savings and job cuts. The focus is on the reduction of at least 2,600 positions, including 1,800 at the Ludwigshafen location.

The employees will have to adapt to further feedback from the company board in the coming months, while the fight for a stable work environment and the future of the most important chemical location in Germany continues. Today's negotiations in Mainz are a central step to clarify the future direction of BASF and could be crucial for the employees.

How things will develop remains to be seen. However, one thing seems clear: The coming weeks and months will be a challenging time for BASF and his employees in which many questions can be clarified.

Details on the ongoing events are on www.echo24.de to read.