Bosch Workers Urge EU Action to Curb Auto Industry Job Losses

Labour representatives at German auto supplier Bosch have called for political action at the European Union level to stem job losses in the automotive industry, urging regulations that would promote local production.

"The transformation of our industry will only succeed if we keep value creation and jobs in Europe," said Frank Sell, head of the general works council at Bosch's Mobility unit, which represents around 70,000 German workers.

Sell called for "clear 'Made in the EU' rules that give us the time we need to work together to become competitive."

Bosch is cutting 13,000 jobs in its core automotive business by the end of the decade. The layoffs are part of a broader wave of workforce reductions across the sector, as carmakers including Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz contend with Chinese competition, tariffs and high production costs.

The European Commission is assessing trade measures that could shield local industry from low-cost Chinese carmakers such as BYD and Chery, which are increasingly looking to Europe for growth as their home market slows. EU leaders are expected to discuss the bloc's widening trade deficit with China next month.