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.
Manufacturing Manufacture Of Basic Metal And Fabricated Metal Products Manufacture Of Basic Metals 24.1 - Manufacture of basic iron and steel and of ferro-alloys
1,700 - 2,500 jobs Number of planned job losses
Announcement Date
24 January 2003
Employment effect (start)
1 January 2005
Foreseen end date
1 December 2008
Description
Arcelor is restructuring its activities all over Europe, with the closure of 4 sites. The Belgian site of Liège will see the closure of two blast furnaces, one rolling mill and one steel works. It total, 2,700 jobs will be cut. Moreover, it is feared that many subcontractors and linked activities will also be affected (see the closure of Ackers, February 2004). A social agreement has been signed on December 19 2003, putting the layoff timeline in 2009, and stating there would be no direct dismissals. Arcelor will start new investments, and will create new jobs in the unit of Carlam, in Charleroi, Belgium. Arcelor has also committed itself to participate in the creation of 2,700 jobs in the region, to cleanse the industrial ruins, and to pay a 20 million euro fine for disinvesting the industrial tool. A local not-profit-organisation has been created in February, the GEIE (groupement européen dintérêt économique), to supervise the the rehabilitation process. On 26 April 2005, Arcelor went ahead with the closure of the last but one active blast furnace in the Liège steel producing area (East of Belgium). This is the first implementation of the decision taken by Arcelor to close the hot phasesof its continental sites, which are less competitive than those situated near the sea. The closure of the last blast furnace in the Liège region is scheduled for 2009.
Sources
9 May 2005: Eiro Online
5 March 2004: Le Soir
25 April 2003: Les Echos
9 April 2003: Les Echos
Citation
Eurofound (2003), Arcelor, Internal restructuring in Belgium, factsheet number 60221, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/60221.
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