Controversial petition at the Domo textiles factory
Published: 27 October 1997
A judicial inquiry concerning the textiles group Beaulieu led to the arrest, on 20 September 1997, and charging of the firm's chair and general manager Jan De Clerk and his wife. The charges against them are very serious, with allegations that about BEF 40 billion may have been lodged illegally in accounts abroad. In the 1980s, the textiles group received large European subsidies as part of the "textiles plan". On Tuesday 30 September, the 1,000 workers at the Domo carpet factory, which is part of the Beaulieu group, were confronted with a management initiative; they were asked to sign a letter asking for "the rapid return" of their employer and his wife. It also said that "their colleagues at Domo realised that their presence at the firm was vital". The signatories were invited to add their name and forenames to the letter.
The trade unions at the Domo textiles factory in Belgium called for the withdrawal of a petition organised inside the firm in September 1997, seeking the release of the employer, who was accused of fraud, falsification of documents, criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
A judicial inquiry concerning the textiles group Beaulieu led to the arrest, on 20 September 1997, and charging of the firm's chair and general manager Jan De Clerk and his wife. The charges against them are very serious, with allegations that about BEF 40 billion may have been lodged illegally in accounts abroad. In the 1980s, the textiles group received large European subsidies as part of the "textiles plan". On Tuesday 30 September, the 1,000 workers at the Domo carpet factory, which is part of the Beaulieu group, were confronted with a management initiative; they were asked to sign a letter asking for "the rapid return" of their employer and his wife. It also said that "their colleagues at Domo realised that their presence at the firm was vital". The signatories were invited to add their name and forenames to the letter.
The trade unions - the Belgian General Federation of Labour (Algemeen Belgische Vakverbond/Fédération Générale du Travail de Belgique, ABVV/FGTB) and the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (Algemeen Christelijk Vakverbond/Confédération des Syndicats Chrétiens, ACV/CSC) - opposed the continuation of this management organised campaign. They accused the management of taking advantage of the workers by exploiting their fear of losing their jobs if they refused to sign. The unions also feared that the petition, which was theoretically only to be sent to the accused, might in fact be used to bring pressure to bear on the magistrates who were to decide whether to free the accused or keep them in custody. The action was stopped three hours later and the signed forms destroyed
Sources: La Libre Belgique, 20 September 1997 and 22 September 1997; Het Volk, 7 October 1997; De Standaard, 7 October 1997;Le Soir, 7 October 1997
Eurofound recommends citing this publication in the following way.
Eurofound (1997), Controversial petition at the Domo textiles factory, article.
