1E9Ct5D

and services in Germany and on imports into Germany. Overseas exports are exceptfrom VAT.In comparison with other countries wages in Germany rank not only amongst the highestin Europe but also worldwide. In 2005 the average industry wages were 27,90 Euro in thewestern part of Germany and 17,40 Euro in the eastern part. Though, the quality of Germanlabour and its efficiency is well-known throughout the world. Furthermore, in 2015statutory minimum wages of 8,50 Euro will be introduced.Average working hours are 37,5 hours per week and the annual leave varies between 20and 30 working days. It has to be noted, that workers in Germany are protected by stronglabour laws which entitle them to many different rights. For example the ordinary dismissalof workers must be proceeded by notice, which depends on the duration of the timethe employee stayed with the company (it varies between 1-7 months.) In addition to that,unions are powerful and large in Germany. Social Security and Health Care costs areequally split up between the employee and the employer. (Please refer to the respectivechapter “German Labour Law”)E. Business InfrastructureGermany’s infrastructure belongs to the most developed ones in the world. Especiallywith regard to EU requirements the German transport and communication utilities havebeen liberalized. The result is an efficient network of motorways, railways and waterwaysconnecting Germany with major hubs in the world.Germany has not only the third largest motorway network worldwide in length but also awell established network of high-speed trains. The InterCityExpress of the DeutscheBahn AG (the national railroad carrier) serves major German cities and destinations inbordering countriesAll together there are 40 airports in Germany. The biggest and busiest of them is theRhein-Main airport near Frankfurt am Main (FraPort). However, other major airports withfrequent air traffic are in Munich, Cologne-Bonn, Berlin-Tegel, Düsseldorf and Hamburg.Germany also has a very well developed marine transport with major sea- and inlandports. In this context, the main sea ports include Kiel, Rostock and Lübeck on the Baltic10