BERLIN, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The ongoing strike of German workers forced German automakers to halt production on Friday.

Germany's biggest union IG Metall called on workers to strike for better pay and shorter working hours since Wednesday. According to the union, about 500,000 employees have taken part in walkouts at around 280 businesses in last three days.

Alone on Friday, 300,000 employees laid down their tools. German big names like BMW, Audi, Daimler and Porsche all came to a standstill.

IG Metall has demanded a salary rise of 6 percent for its members, while employers have offered about the half of the demand. Meanwhile, the union also demands that working hours of employees, who are parents of very young children or who need to take care of sick relatives, should be reduced from 35 to 28 per week for two years.

"Now it's up to the employers to understand this signal and step up their game," IG Metall chairman Joerg Hofmann said to German news provider dpa.

"If the employers show this willingness, negotiations can continue Monday," Hofmann said.