Plans by the chemical giant BASF to relocate thousands of internal service jobs from Germany to India have sparked strong concern among workers and trade unions. The decision raises broader questions about responsible restructuring and the future of quality industrial employment.

The company intends to establish a new global business services hub in India by 2028, consolidating financial and personnel services currently carried out in Europe. Workers fear the move could lead to the relocation of thousands of positions.

The plans have already triggered mobilisation. At BASF’s service centre in Berlin, which employs nearly 3,000 people in finance, HR and IT services, around 300 workers gathered on 27 February under the slogan “Ready? Set? STOP!”, referring to the internal project name “Readyset”. Workers called on management to halt the relocation plans and open negotiations on alternatives.

Concerns are also growing in Ludwigshafen, BASF’s largest site, where the company is planning to sell thousands of company-owned apartments, adding to uncertainty among the workforce.

The Berlin service hub itself was created through social dialogue. In 2005, a special collective agreement enabled BASF to concentrate intra-group services in the German capital. To secure the investment, workers accepted concessions including lower wages and longer working hours compared with the regional sector agreement. Workers now say the relocation plans undermine those commitments and were announced without prior consultation.

Judith Kirton-Darling, General Secretary of industriAll Europe, warned that the decision sends a worrying signal.

“At a time when Europe needs to strengthen its industrial base and economic resilience, shifting high-quality jobs out of Europe undermines long-term sustainability and social cohesion,” she said.

Trade unions are calling on BASF to withdraw the relocation plans and engage in fair negotiations on sustainable solutions that protect quality jobs and respect workers’ rights and social dialogue.