Restructuring events
European Restructuring Monitor (ERM)
The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
Delhaize, part of the Dutch multinational Delhaize group has announced it will be dimissing 280 white collar workers at their headquarters. The main reasoning behind the dismissal is the announcement that the company will turn their stores into franchises. This will make a large number of support staff obsolete at Delhaize itself, as these will have to be performed by the franchises themselves.
A remarkable fact is that the so called 'Renault Law' is not initiated, despite the large amount of dismissals. In most cases with dismissals of this magnitude, a mandatory consultation and negotiation phase has to be undertaken in order to look for alternative solutions and/or reduce the number of jobs affected. However, as the company plans to spread the dismissals as the franchising process proceeds, the minimum threshold to initiate the law is not exceeded.
This franchising process is heavily contested by the unions and has led to nationwide strikes and actions to prevent them.
Eurofound (2023), Delhaize, Internal restructuring in Belgium, factsheet number 108897, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/108897.