GERMANY'S key metal and engineering industries suffered more disruption yesterday as hundreds of thousands of workers staged new protests against a law aimed at cutting sick pay allowances.

IG Metall, Germany's most powerful union, said that around 400,000 workers in more than 1,000 metal and engineering firms across the country had downed tools during the day, with many then going on to march through major towns. The protests followed the break-down on Wednesday of talks between IG Metall and metal employers seeking compromise on the sick pay issue. They went ahead despite pledges by companies such as Daimler-Benz to hold off implementing the law.