Bosch CEO Defends German Work Ethic Amid Criticism
Bosch CEO defends German workers and demands sweeping economic reforms
Bosch chief Stefan Hartung has pushed back against claims that people in Germany work too little, defending the country's workforce against such accusations.
"Work must pay off—then people will work hard. I see no reason to criticize the people in our country," he told newspapers of the Funke Mediengruppe. "I don't believe Germans work too little."
At the same time, Hartung called for incentives across all income brackets to encourage people to work more—"for example, an extra hour per week." He noted that the tax burden is high and stressed that everyone, from low to high earners, must be motivated to contribute. "This should be taken into account when discussing relief measures," he said.
The Bosch CEO also dismissed the government's pledge to launch a "spring of reforms," arguing that a single season would not be enough to implement the necessary changes. "Many things are not as simple as they sound," he said. "What matters most is that we assess economic conditions soberly—using private investment as our yardstick. The government must keep adjusting the framework until Germany overcomes its investment weakness."
Specifically, Hartung demanded: "Above all, we need modern, reliable infrastructure; a manageable burden of levies, taxes, and bureaucracy on businesses; and a high-performing education system—from skilled trades and vocational training to academic professions."
Economy Minister Katharina Reiche (CDU), who has faced criticism, received support from Hartung. "I find it quite refreshing that we have an economy minister with real business experience," he said. "I continue to view her work with great confidence."
