IG Metall is demanding that Volkswagen withdraw from the Uyghur region in China, where the carmaker has a plant. This increases the pressure on the VW management before the next meeting of the Group Supervisory Board.
The VW plant in the Chinese city of Ürümqi (province of Xinjiang)
The pressure on Volkswagen for its plant in the Chinese province of Xinjiang is increasing. After Economics Minister Robert Habeck recently refused Volkswagen investment guarantees for China in connection with human rights violations, the head of the Metalworkers' Union, Jörg Hofmann, has now further increased the pressure on the top floor of the Volkswagen Group.
“Meanwhile there is hardly any doubt that human rights violations are taking place in Xinjiang,” said Jörg Hofmann, who sits on the group's supervisory board, the Wolfsburger Nachrichten. Therefore, the group board must deal with the issue. There is currently no indication that human rights violations have occurred at VW itself. “Nevertheless, the question to be asked is what it means for the company's reputation to continue investing there,” the newspaper quoted the union boss, who is deputy chairman of the VW supervisory board.
IG Metall boss Jörg Hofmann: “Don't just look in your own front yard”
Lower Saxony also sees Volkswagen in duty
Lower Saxony's Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SPD), who sits on the control committee as a representative of the state with 20 percent of the voting rights in VW, said: “The pictures and reports about the serious human rights violations against the Uyghur minority in the Chinese region of Xinjiang are shocking.”
So far, however, there is no evidence that human rights or labor rights have been violated at the VW plant. “However, this does not relieve the company of its obligation to deal intensively with the issue and to examine the allegations about the human rights situation in detail, which will also be done.”
“We are not aware of any cases “
Volkswagen said in a statement quoted by the newspaper: “We are not aware of any cases where employees of the Saic Volkswagen company were or are in detention camps.” When asked, the group added: “In talks with the Chinese government, all important issues that are important for our business activities are addressed.”
Critical issues are not left out either. The company pointed out that it had previously made it publicly clear that it was taking action against forced labor in connection with its business activities worldwide.
“As a global company, the Volkswagen Group stands for individual freedom, fair working conditions, and openness World trade, economic development and peaceful coexistence.” The group expects its local business partners to also comply with the values and standards.
VW CEO Herbert Diess: Volkswagen's presence in Xinjiang improves the situation for the people
VW is (still) sticking to the plant in Xinjiang
It was only at the end of May that VW Group boss Herbert Diess declared that Volkswagen would continue to operate its plant in Xinjiang province, despite new revelations about human rights violations against the Muslim Uyghur minority in China. “I believe that the presence of SAIC Volkswagen will improve the situation for people,” said Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess to the Handelsblatt, referring to the SAIC Volkswagen joint venture there.
“We travel there, make sure, like everywhere else in the world, that our working standards are enforced and that cultural and religious differences are respected.” If there were starting points for offenses, massive action would be taken, Diess emphasized. Volkswagen has been operating the production site in the city of Urumqi together with the state-owned company SAIC since 2013.
The IG Metall boss sees it differently. The group can not only look at what is going on in its own “front yard”, but also has to pay attention to which “street” it lives on. “When human rights violations are visible on the right and left, I demand action,” said union boss Hofmann. The group must position itself visibly and unequivocally against human rights violations.
E-car offensive: advertising for the ID.3 model at a VW dealership in Shanghai
The VW Group's largest sales market
China is Volkswagen's largest sales market. The company has long been criticized for its presence in the Uyghur region, but has repeatedly denied it, arguing that its presence there helps improve the people's situation. In a statement on the report, the company said: “We are not aware of any cases in which SAIC Volkswagen employees have been or are in detention camps.” SAIC is the state partner in the joint venture with the Wolfsburg car manufacturer.
The Muslim Uyghur minority, who are oppressed by the Chinese state, live in the Xinjiang region in north-west China. Reports about internment camps there made headlines again recently. It also spoke of a secret order to shoot in the camps.
The Federal Ministry of Economics had recently refused Volkswagen investment guarantees for China in connection with human rights violations.
The Supervisory Board Presidential Committee should also deal with the topic , which insiders say will take place next week. Lower Saxony's Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SDP) also sits on the committee. A new state parliament will be elected in October.
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China: VW and the Uyghurs
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