Tesla criticized in Germany over union concerns over working hours, contracts

At its annual news conference, IG Metal, which has its office near the plant and says it is in regular contact with the workers, said a growing number reported working longer hours with less free time.

IG Metal said there was also a growing fear among workers to openly discuss working conditions as they were asked to sign non-disclosure agreements.

A new role is advertised on Tesla’s careers website for a “Security Intelligence Investigator” who, in collaboration with the legal and human resources departments, will conduct on-the-spot investigations both within and outside Tesla’s walls to protect the company. Will collect ground information. Threats”, exacerbated these concerns.

“The workers started at Tesla with great enthusiasm for the project. Over time we see that this enthusiasm is waning,” Irene Schulz of IG Metal 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 employees 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.

German business newspaper Handelsblatt reported Monday that local politicians from the center-left SPD to the center-right CDU expressed concern about the allegations, demanding an inquiry by both Tesla and the local government.

Christian Baumler of the Christian Democrats (CDU) told Handelsblatt, “The state government of Brandenburg must enforce business protection through close control over Tesla.”

The Brandenburg government was not immediately available for comment.

The text of this story is published from a wire agency feed without any modification.