Germans are set to be made to work for free in order to compete with China

Mercedes-Benz has initiated negotiations to introduce a 38-hour workweek without a pay increase, the Handelsblatt newspaper reports. 

The company is proposing—on a voluntary basis for now—that employees work three additional hours each week for free, on top of their paid 35-hour schedule.

Company representatives argue that high labor costs are rendering German industry uncompetitive compared to China. 

Mercedes-Benz has threatened to relocate production to Latin America or the United States if the proposal is rejected.