Type
Internal restructuring
Country
Belgium
Region
Région Wallonne; Prov. Hainaut; Arr. Charleroi
Location of affected unit(s)
Gosselies
Sector
Manufacturing
Manufacture For Transport Equipment
Manufacture Of Other Transport Equipment
30 - Manufacture of other transport equipment

279 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
25 February 2003
Employment effect (start)
1 January 2004
Foreseen end date
1 July 2006

Description

The social plan proposed by the management will involve 128 direct dismissals, 73 early retirements, 27 short-term contracts not renewed and 100 workers put on technical unemployment for three years. Management tells that there would be no dismissals in 2003 but 270 job cuts remain to be negotiated. At the beginning of 2004, management announced that the procedure of collective redundancy would be suspended and that 100 or 150 workers would be hired. This new development is caused by the positive evolution of the orders.

In September 2005, a new decision was taken regarding the restructuring. In order to save €54 million, the company will lay off 35 temps, 115 permanent employees, and allow 129 employees to benefit from early retirement measures. By 2008, expected workforce should be reduced down to 1,500. Weekly working hours will also increase from 35 hours to 38 hours a week and 3.5 yearly holidays will be lost by remaining employees.


Sources

  • 19 September 2003: Les Echos
  • 6 March 2003: Les Echos
  • 23 May 2003: Les Echos
  • 16 January 2004: Les Echos
  • : (www.lalibre.be)

Citation

Eurofound (2003), Sonaca, Internal restructuring in Belgium, factsheet number 60119, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/60119.