PRAGUE -- Volkswagen Group's Czech unit Skoda will extend its Christmas break until Jan. 10, unions at the automaker said, as the automotive sector struggles with parts deliveries disruptions.
Supply bottlenecks for chips have been dampening the car industry across the globe. The shortages again dragged heavily on Czech industrial output in October, leading to a weak start to the fourth quarter.
The break will start on Dec. 23 at Skoda, but only part of the shutdown will be counted as a holiday for the workers. They will get compensation for the other period amounting to 80 percent of their wages because production will halt due to the company's troubles, the unions said in their weekly bulletin.
Skoda said at the beginning of December it was producing at around 75-80 percent of capacity.
