Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, loves to outsource some of its industries to the much cheaper Eastern European countries. Its half socialist, half conservative and free trade supporting government allegedly understands the importance of freedom. Freedom of movement, freedom of investing, freedom of relocating. Beautiful principles, as long as they don’t affect German workers. Especially West German workers from the highly industrialized region along the Rhine river. Like Bochum, a small town with some important factories like Opel and until recently, Nokia.
A huge scandal started in Germany last week, when the Finnish cellphone manufacturer Nokia announced that it will close down the 2,300 employees-factory in Bochum and relocate it to the small Romanian village Jucu. Strikes, ridiculous boycotts and angry political statements followed immediately after and are still hopelessly trying to change Nokia’s mind. With no success so far.
