GERMAN STEELWORKERS TAKE THE STREETS AGAINST DUMPING OF CHINESES IMPORTS

German steelworkers took to the streets on Monday, demanding more measures against the dumping of cheap Chinese imports and greater job protection amid uncertainty over the future of Thyssenkrupp's steel business.

Germany is Europe's biggest steelmaker and 45,000 workers joined rallies across the country, the IG Metall union said.

The powerful union is demanding job guarantees if Thyssenkrupp merges its steel business with that of India's Tata Steel or another player - a prospect that has become more likely in the past weeks.

Workers fear they could face a similar fate to their peers in Britain, where Tata has put its entire steel business up for sale, putting thousands of jobs at risk.