Type
Internal restructuring
Country
Belgium
Region
Région Bruxelles-Capitale / Brussels Hoofdstedelijke Gewest;
Location of affected unit(s)
Brussels
Sector
Retail
Retail Trade, Except Of Motor Vehicles And Motorcycles
Retail Sale Of Other Household Equipment In Specialised Stores
47.5 - Retail sale of other household equipment in specialised stores

100 - 120 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
21 November 2018
Employment effect (start)
1 December 2018
Foreseen end date

Description

Ikea, a multinational furniture and household items retailer has announced restructuring measures in several countries including Belgium. In total between 100 and 120 jobs are at risk. The company's global restructuring plan envisages some 7,500 job losses. The company plans to invest more in the stores themselves as well as the logistic centres and in particular their e-commerce activities. Most of the jobs at risk are white collar jobs at the company HQ in Zaventem and different HR services.

The national company management has announced it will communicate in an open and  transparent way towards their employees and will start negotiating with the unions soon regarding job losses. In this way they will seek to reduce the impact of the reforms and reduce job losses. Federal minister of Work Kris Peeters has emphasized the importance of the negotiations and has indicated he will follow the case personally. Ikea employs some 3,500 people in Belgium.


Sources

Citation

Eurofound (2018), Ikea, Internal restructuring in Belgium, factsheet number 95849, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/95849.