Berlin, Jul 11 (AP) Germany's biggest industrial union said Monday it will seek an 8% wage increase for millions of manufacturing workers in upcoming pay talks, a demand that is just above the country's current inflation rate.

The IG Metall union's demand comes as Chancellor Olaf Scholz seeks to find ways with unions and employers to address the impact of rising prices while preventing an inflationary spiral. Germany has Europe's biggest economy.

Also Read | US-Based Woman Arielle Egozi Posts 'Sex Work' As Experience on LinkedIn, Netizens Applaud.

In Germany, wage deals are typically hammered out in negotiations between employers' organizations and unions that cover a whole industrial sector. IG Metall negotiates for workers in the auto and machinery industries among others, with a total of more than 3.8 million workers.

Negotiations are due to begin in mid-September.

Also Read | Pakistan: Unknown Assailants Hurl Bomb Inside Awami National Party’s Senator Haji Hidayatullah’s House.

IG Metall chairman Joerg Hofmann said that “the economy needs rising incomes and stable consumption as an existential support.” He argued that most companies are doing well in terms of both orders and earnings, and that “companies can pass on rising costs (but) employees can't.”

Germany's annual inflation rate stood at 7.6% in June, slightly below the half-century high of 7.9% it reached the previous month. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)