Munich, Germany – Around 770 employees at Nokia’s Munich site face an uncertain future as the Finnish telecommunications giant plans to close its facility on Werner-Schlierf-Straße in Giesing by 2030. The announcement has sparked widespread incomprehension and fear among the workforce, leading to a protest on Wednesday afternoon.
Nokia Employees Rally Against Closure
On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, numerous Nokia employees gathered on the company’s premises in Giesing to demonstrate against the planned closure. The protest, organized by the IG Metall trade union, took place under the motto “We Stay” (Wir Bleiben), emphasizing their determination to resist the decision. Nokia sites in France, Greece, and Italy, also affected by similar plans, joined the demonstration via livestream, highlighting the widespread concern across Europe.
According to reports, 430 jobs are threatened in France, 200 in Greece, and 110 in Italy. Employees at all affected locations stress the lack of convincing arguments from the company regarding the planned closures.
770 Jobs at Risk in Munich
The potential loss of 770 jobs in Munich has created significant anxiety among long-term employees. Silke H., who has worked at Nokia for 25 years, expressed her deep concerns. “At the age of 50, I cannot go into semi-retirement,” she stated, adding that finding a new job would be difficult and that the job cuts would strip her of her financial security.
The planned closure also impacts the Infinera/Coriant site in Munich and other Nokia offices across Europe, underscoring the broad scope of the corporation’s restructuring.
Company Cites “Global Site Strategy”
In response to inquiries from the Süddeutsche Zeitung, a Nokia spokesperson justified the job cuts and the closure of the Munich site by referring to the company’s “global site strategy.” Nokia stated that it is concentrating its investments on key locations both nationally and internationally, with Munich apparently not being one of them.
Munich’s Innovation Potential Overlooked
However, Georg Geiger, spokesperson for IG Metall members at Nokia Munich, argues that the city offers ideal conditions for innovation due to its infrastructure, universities, and proximity to research institutions. He emphasized that the Giesing office is a crucial site for research within the company.
Clemens Suerbaum, Chairman of the General Works Council at Nokia Germany, highlighted the widespread unease among employees in other German cities as well, indicating a broader impact beyond Munich.
“Real People Behind the Numbers”
Daniele Frijia, Managing Director of IG Metall Munich and a member of the German Nokia Supervisory Board, underscored the human cost of the company’s plans. “Behind the numbers in the Excel table are real people,” Frijia stated at the protest. The demonstration aimed to draw attention to the scale of Nokia’s intentions. Additionally, Nokia employees have launched a petition to challenge the decision.
The protest in Munich serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of corporate decisions on individual lives and local economies, as employees continue to fight for their jobs and their future.
Source: https://www.sueddeutsche.de/muenchen/muenchen-nokia-standort-schliessung-protest-li.3351944
