Volkswagen Employees to Question CEO Oliver Blume Over Restructuring That Could Put 140,000 Jobs at Risk

Volkswagen Group's works council will host employee meetings in August featuring CEO Oliver Blume, giving workers an opportunity to question him about restructuring plans that, according to employee representatives, could ultimately put as many as 140,000 jobs at risk.

According to an internal employee notice reviewed by Reuters, Blume will meet with employees at the company's headquarters in Wolfsburg on August 25 before visiting Volkswagen's plants in Emden and Zwickau on August 26.

The Emden and Zwickau facilities are among four plants that could face closure under Volkswagen Group's restructuring strategy if alternative solutions are not found. The other sites identified as being at risk are Audi's plant in Neckarsulm and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles' factory in Hanover.

Blume has previously said that, in addition to the 50,000 job cuts already agreed upon with labor unions, Volkswagen needs to eliminate another 50,000 positions to remain cost competitive. According to the works council, potential plant closures after 2030 could place an additional 40,000 jobs at risk.

A Volkswagen spokesperson said no agreements have been reached on the matter and declined to comment further on the reported figures.