German railway freight company laid off employees

DB Cargo, which is facing serious financial problems and is under investigation by the European Commission, plans to cut 1,800 jobs, that caused strong opposition from the German Rail and Transport Union.

Critics of DB Cargo argue the company relies on subsidies from Deutsche Bahn and the German federal government to stay afloat. The European Commission is investigating the company for market distortions and violations of state aid rules.

Martin Burkett, president of the union (EVG), criticised that reassuring the European Commission by cutting costs is simply wrong and that what is needed now is a future-oriented growth strategy. He stressed that colleagues are victims and called on companies to look for other solutions.

At present, the European Commission's action against the national rail operator continues, including a possible spin-off of DB Cargo. This has sparked speculation about the company's future direction, and it remains to be seen whether it will be revived or further downsized.

At the same time, the share of railway transportation in Europe has been declining continuously in recent years, from 60% in 1950 to 15% at present. DB Cargo sealed 24 electric locomotives last year due to rising energy costs, highlighting the challenges brought by climate change to the railway transportation industry. 

德国铁路货运公司大裁员

       德国铁路货运公司(DB Cargo)正面临严重的财务问题，并受到欧盟委员会的调查。该公司计划裁员1800人，此举引起了德国铁路和运输工会(EVG)的强烈反对。

       DB Cargo的批评者认为，该公司依靠德国铁路集团和德国联邦政府的补贴来维持运营。欧盟委员会正在调查该公司是否存在扭曲市场和违反国家援助规定的行为。

       工会(EVG)主席马丁·伯克特批评称，通过裁员节省成本，从而安抚欧盟委员会这是完全错误的做法，现在需要的是制定面向未来的增长战略。他强调，同事们是受害者，并呼吁公司寻找其他解决方案。

       目前，欧盟委员会对国家铁路运营商的行动仍在继续，包括可能分拆DB Cargo。这引发了关于该公司未来走向的猜测，是复兴还是进一步缩减规模，仍有待观察。

       与此同时，整个欧洲的铁路运输份额近年来持续下降，从1950年的60%降至目前的15%。DB Cargo去年因能源成本上升而封存了24辆电力机车，凸显了气候变化对铁路运输行业带来的挑战。