In September, the number of German manufacturers who are transitioning employees to “short-time employment” increased. This indicates that the recession in the manufacturing sector is taking its toll on laborers. 5.5 percent of manufacturers surveyed disclosed that they had to decrease workers’ hours in order to avoid layoffs. Export-dependent manufacturers have been impacted the most. German exports have been negatively impacted due to Britain leaving the EU and the ongoing trade conflict between the United States and China.
See "More German manufacturers using short hours, Ifo says", Joseph Nasr, Reuters, September 26, 2019