Wibra Belgium wants to make a restart with 36 of the 81 stores, the head office in Temse and 183 of the current 439 employees. The management announced this on Friday during a works council, the retail chain reports. A judgment is expected on 5 October on the proposal submitted to the chairman of the corporate court of Ghent (Dendermonde division). In case the proposal is rejected, the management will file for bankruptcy, it sounds.
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Specifically, it is about 36 stores: in Borgerhout, Merksem, Aalst, Leuven, Geel, Mortsel, Ostend (2), Schaerbeek (2), Liège, Etterbeek, Eeklo, Menen, Tienen, Halle, Herentals, Gilly, Bruges, Sint-Amandsberg, Lokeren, Laken, Genk, Bergen, Kapellen, Uccle, Blankenberge, Jette, Maasmechelen, Estaimpuis, Tielt-Winge, Heusden-Zolder, Haccourt, Mechelen Nekkerspoel, Overpelt and Mariakerke.
Wibra filed for judicial reorganization at the end of July. This was necessary because “Wibra Belgium has been loss-making for several years”, according to the retail chain. “The loss-making Belgian activities were traditionally absorbed and compensated by the other activities of the group, but in the current COVID-19 context this was no longer possible.” According to Wibra Belgium, the situation is unsustainable due to the losses and the accumulated debt burden.
Payable Payments
The management emphasized during the works council on Friday that as long as the proceedings are ongoing, Wibra Belgium is in a reorganization under judicial authority. During this procedure, the company may only make due and payable payments. “Both wages and overtime worked are covered and were also paid to all employees involved. However, other commitments and guarantees cannot and cannot be given in the context of the procedure. This was also confirmed by the legal officer during the works council. ”
Bas Duijsens, managing director of Wibra Belgium, says he understands the concern among employees. “Unfortunately, we cannot give certain guarantees and securities today. We have also given the list of stores that Wibra wishes to take over to the works council, although it is important to add that all employees of these stores will not be automatically taken over. ”
All Wibra employees will be informed of their personal situation as soon as the corporate court has ruled. Belgian
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