“With the implementation of the new model, the number of jobs that will be affected in Greece is estimated at 75 and it concerns the roles of office workers”. This is what Unilever Hellas says in a statement it issued a while ago regarding the group’s new organizational structure, stressing that the employees who work at the Rentis factory and the Rentis and Schimatario distribution centers are excluded.
The subsidiary of the multinational group also reports that the consultations with the European Works Council as well as with the local Workers Union regarding the productivity plan were completed after a series of meetings, underlining that the contribution of the Union was essential.
According to her, “in Greece, the Administration in collaboration with the Union decided on a set of benefits that ensure the implementation of the changes in the most responsible way”.
Unilever: Voluntary exit with increased compensation
The most important development, as noted, concerns the acceptance of the main request of the local Unilever Union for the implementation of a controlled voluntary exit program with increased compensation and expanded benefits, which has already begun.
Also, for the employees whose positions will be affected, it is planned to maintain, for several months, a series of company benefits, such as indicative medical coverage, insurance and pension advice, services for reintegration into the labor market and access to the Employee Assistance Program.
Special care is also provided for those close to retirement.
Unilever Hellas also points out that “in the new organizational structure, some new jobs are expected to be created which will reduce the impact of the restructuring mentioned above, enabling employees to take advantage of job opportunities within the company”.
The spin-off of the ice cream industry
At the same time, the process of demerging the Ice Cream sector is underway and is expected to be completed in November 2025, while through this process it is expected to create additional new jobs for Unilever employees in Greece, which will further reduce the impact of plan.
In line with the objectives of the global Programme, the emphasis will be on creating a single structure as One Unilever, which will strengthen the company’s know-how and competitiveness, helping to maintain stability and aiming for its long-term prosperity.
At the local level, Greece will lead a number of countries such as Cyprus, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
Many months of consultations
It is recalled that the management of Unilever in Greece and the workers’ union started consultations last September, with the company stressing in a statement that its main priority is “to ensure that this change is as smooth as possible for all workers whose positions will be affected’.
The job cuts follow the multinational’s decision to cut 3,200 jobs in Europe and 7,500 worldwide, according to reports in the international press. It should be noted that the multinational employs 10,000-11,000 office workers in Europe and approximately 128,000 people worldwide.
Unilever’s activities in Greece
In Greece, Unilever operates with Elais Unilever Hellas AE, Unilever Knorr, under whose ownership the factory in Rentis is located, and Unilever Logistics, which is the company of the multinational in the sector of storage, management and distribution of its products in the Greek market.
It employs more than 450 workers, maintains an established supply chain in Greece through its factory in Renti, Attica and 2 privately owned distribution centers, while working with more than 1,000 local suppliers.
Source: ot.gr
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