Bus manufacturer Van Hool to cut more than 1,000 jobs in the next four years
Belgian bus manufacturer Van Hool wants to cut 1,116 jobs in Flanders over the next four years. This was reported by the joint union front on Monday after a special works council.
The company plans to reduce staff in Flanders from 2,494 to 1,378 by 2028, according to the unions. In 2024, 834 jobs will disappear, with 27 each in the next two years and 228 in three years. Finally, Van Hool must seek funding by the end of this month. If funding is not forthcoming, bankruptcy will follow.
A large part of production will move to North Macedonia, but the research and development sector and semi-trailer divisions will remain in Belgium.
The lack of external financing, debts that have been piling up for years and, according to critics, mismanagement in terms of strategy led to Van Hool announcing a significant restructuring a few months ago.
On Monday, Flemish minister president Jan Jambon (N-VA) and minister of economy Jo Brouns (CD&V) will meet banks. The Flemish government has already engaged an external study agency to analyse the restructuring plan. This should help to decide whether Van Hool has a realistic future after the restructuring.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND
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