BMW to end program on shorter work hours soon

German carmaker BMW will end its programme on shorter work hours in the coming weeks, weekly Automobilwoche said on Saturday, citing board member Frank-Peter Arndt.

BMW has reduced the work hours of 26,000 employees in Germany early this year as the financial crisis forced consumers to curtail their spending on items such as cars.

With the rate of decline in car sales slowing down in recent months, BMW has also gradually reduced those participating in the short hours programme.

Automobilwoche said BMW has started to re-employ part-time employees in plants located in Leipzig and Regensburg.