BMW to create 3,000 jobs in return for flexibility

BMW to create 3,000 jobs in return for flexibility
Published: 27 Sep 12 07:56 CET

German car manufacturer BMW will create around 3,000 new jobs by 2013, with many contract workers possibly finding themselves being offered an official position.

The Handelsblatt business newspaper reported on Thursday that the move was key to an deal between management and the 70,000-strong workforce which would agree to be more flexible.

In return for creating more jobs, employees in Germany have agreed to cooperate more in attempts to “secure production in volatile times,” a company spokesman told the paper – this could include having shifts lengthening and breaks cancelled during very busy periods.

The new hires are expected to come primarily from existing contract workers, of which BMW is thought to have around 11,000. This is more than market competitors Audi, or Daimler - and is something that the labour union has attacked the company for in the past months.

Unlike Daimler, BMW is on track for another successful year and it plans on making more than the 1.67 million cars it made in 2011.