BASF creates more than 500 jobs in Berlin
BASF is to build up a service centre for finances, accounts and standard human resources services in eastern Berlin, which is expected to create 500 to 600 new jobs.
BASF is to build up a service centre for finances, accounts and standard human resources services in eastern Berlin, which is expected to create 500 to 600 new jobs.
The new shared service centre is to provide one-stop-shop provision of services that are currently provided on a local basis by more than 100 BASF subsidiaries across Europe.
'We deliberately chose Germany, and specifically Berlin, because of the economic and flexible solution we found here', said Hans-Carsten Hansen, BASF Aktiengesellschaft's head of human resources. 'Our decision is based on an innovative collective agreement which gives us international competitiveness as a service provider. Other factors in the city's favour included the overall economic environment; excellent infrastructure; affordable real estate prices and the large number of qualified people with training in foreign languages. The added bonus is that it allows us to create new jobs in Germany.'
The tailor-made collective agreement acknowledges the fact that the new subsidiary is not a production site for the chemical industry, but a purely service-based organisation for Europe, with pay structures and working hours to match.
Hubertus Schmoldt, chairman of the Labor Union for the Mining, Chemicals and Energy Industries, said: 'BASF's decision in favor of eastern Berlin is impressive testimony to Germany's industrial competitiveness, showing that it is by all means possible to build up jobs on the basis of conditions set forth in collective agreements.' Schmoldt also pointed out the importance of avoiding ideological disputes in the chemical industry, and that the social partners - labour and management representatives - are committed to fair, constructive and innovative agreements.
The new organisation, a fully owned BASF Aktiengesellschaft subsidiary, will start up from scratch in eastern Berlin. The search for qualified staff - most of whom will be required to speak foreign languages - begins with immediate effect. The centre is due to start operations by the end of 2005.