The unions and management of chocolate maker Barry Callebaut have rejected a social agreement on the restructuring of the company. Barry Callebaut and the liberal trade union ACLVB reported this on Thursday. 150 jobs will disappear in Wieze and Lokeren, initially there were more than 300 layoffs.
“With this agreement, we are finally offering the financial and legal security to the affected workers after months of waiting,” said Permanent Secretary Kurt Marysse of ACLVB. “It is a social plan It is worthy of the name, with definite legal certainty and future possibilities.” There is no need to vote on the plan anymore.
“I still regret that the biggest chocolate factory in the world, which makes Belgian chocolate, is cutting so many jobs in Belgium. In this case, jobs mostly for highly qualified workers and executives who will no longer return to our country,” says Tina De Greef from ACV.
“We will do everything we can to provide maximum support to those affected – most of whom are +45 years old – as they look for new work.” The decision should not lead to an excessive increase in the workload, the Christian union believes.
“Now that around 170 employees will be leaving Barry Callebaut in the coming year, we will keep a close eye on the workload.”
Jobs in Halle were also at risk
In Halle, another 178 jobs are at risk, but social consultations are still ongoing there.
The chocolate maker previously announced the ‘BC Next Level’ savings plan. The group planned to cut up to 2,500 jobs worldwide, or nearly a fifth of its workforce.
After several rounds of negotiations, an agreement was reached earlier this month. The affected workers will receive compensation and comprehensive assistance, ACLVB says.
Barry Callebaut’s ‘BC Next Level’ savings plan should simplify and digitise, management argues. After this reduction comes an investment of 500 million euros.
2024-11-28 22:07:00
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