Restructuring events
European Restructuring Monitor (ERM)
The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
The Belgian railroad production division of the Canadian Bombardier holding has announced the dismissal of 75 of its approximately 693 employees. The company is being forced to reduce the amount of production workers active in the facility in Brugge to cut back on labour costs. The measures are already in place and will continue in months to come, however, a precise date on when all of the layoffs will be completed has not been specified. The company has tried to minimise the number of direct dismissals and a number of employees have agreed to leave voluntarily. Various efforts have also been undertaken by the company to facilitate the dismissed workers in their search for a new job, for example, the company has organised job fairs. Employee representatives stated that they regret the layoffs but are pleased with the efforts undertaken by the employer to reduce the number of direct dismissals. On top off this, they have received a written statement that no other employees will lose their jobs for the next 5 years. Considering a predicted unemployment of approximately 30-35% for the company in coming years, this promise is of significant value to both the employees and their representatives. In February of this year Bombardier announced cutbacks in its divisions worldwide, and a total of 7000 job losses are estimated. However, upon this announcement, saving measures in the Belgian division seemed rather limited with no expected loss of jobs.
Eurofound (2016), Bombardier Transportation Belgium, Internal restructuring in Belgium, factsheet number 87656, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://dev.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/87656.
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