41.   The talks are being watched closely because IG Metall generally sets the standard for wage rises in Germany.

42.   The report said the decline of the Chinese restaurant could be due to price competition, wage rises and inflation, and high rents for premises.

43.   He also said the bank inhibits wage rises.

44.   However many businesses have claimed they were unable to meet the wage rises.

45.   IG Metall, with three million members, is demanding a six percent wage rise for all German metal workers.

46.   Arno Sanidad, a lawyer for the strikers, said the dispute had gone beyond wage rises and encompassed alleged plans by PAL management to contract out some services.

47.   Analysts said the biggest threat to prices came from unions seeking wage rises that overcompensated for inflation and productivity gains.

48.   But Aso warned that prolonged, steady wage rises would push up production costs and lead to a hollowing-out of industry in the medium- to long-term.

49.   Chancellor Helmut Kohl has urged working Germans to help fight a dramatic rise in unemployment by accepting smaller wage rises and forgoing improvements in their purchasing power.

50.   Chancellor Helmut Kohl urged working Germans on Wednesday to help fight a dramatic rise in unemployment by accepting small wage rises and forgoing improvements in their purchasing power.