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Germany’s economy ministry expects rise in short-time work agreements – Metro US

Germany’s economy ministry expects rise in short-time work agreements

German Economy Minister Altmaier attends a session at parliament in
German Economy Minister Altmaier attends a session at parliament in Berlin

BERLIN (Reuters) – The number of people working reduced hours under Germany’s Kurzarbeit scheme is expected to increase following a strict lockdown that will start on Wednesday, the economy ministry said on Monday.

A partial lockdown that has been in place since Nov. 2 had not yet negatively affected the labour market, it said in a statement.

However, a significant increase in applications for short-time work schemes indicated a rise in the number of people working reduced hours.

(Reporting by Kirsti Knolle; editing by Thomas Seythal)